Canada's Naval History

The Second World War
The Merchant Navy - The Merchant Navy

Between 1939 and 1945, Canadian and Allied merchant ships and their crews transported personnel, munitions, weapons, and food across the world's oceans as part of the Allied war effort. Enemy action sank some 70 Canadian and Newfoundland merchant vessels. Over 1,600 Canadians and Newfoundlanders, including eight women, were killed.

Artifact Record

The Merchant Service Is Silent Too!

This wartime security poster emphasizes the need for secrecy about merchant ships' cargoes and journeys.

Featuring an image of a sailor against the backdrop of a ship's mast, the poster makes a comparison with the submarine service of Britain's Royal Navy - often called the "silent service". During the Second World War, posters like this encouraged Canadians not to talk about naval matters, including the arrival and departure of ships, fearing that if the enemy obtained this information it could be used against Allied forces.

Wartime Security Poster
CWM 19910108-010