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The Early Cold War
Rebuilding and Transformation

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare, as it had been in the two world wars. It sought to build a force of ships, personnel, and facilities to fulfill this mission, as well as to pursue other national objectives like sovereignty protection.

HMCS Micmac
HMCS Micmac

This photograph shows the Canadian-built Tribal class destroyer HMCS Micmac following a conversion that increased its anti-submarine capabilities.

The first Canadian-built destroyer, Micmac entered service just after the end of the Second World War, and was badly damaged in a 1947 collision with a merchant ship. The navy, planning to focus on anti-submarine duties, took advantage of the repair process to convert Micmac into a destroyer escort. Among the resulting changes were the replacement of Micmac's forward 4.7-inch guns (centre left) with a Squid anti-submarine mortar and twin 40 mm anti-aircraft guns.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20020135-074





Graveyard, Sorel, P.Q.
HMCS Micmac
HMCS Sussexvale
Twin 40mm Bofors Gun
HMCS Magnificent and Destroyer
Royal Canadian Navy Recruiting Advertisement
Canadian Ships in Halifax Harbour
Model, HMCS Mackenzie
Desktop Radar Model
Model, HMCS Provider
HMCS Assiniboine and Sea King Helicopter
Twin 3-Inch Naval Gun and Mount
Uniform, Rear Admiral Sturton Mathwin Davis
HMCS Porte St. Louis and HMCS Porte St. Jean
Ship's Crest, HMCS Porte de la Reine
HMCS Ontario in the Panama Canal
Life Ring, HMCS Quebec
Royal Canadian Navy Recruiting Poster
Master-at-Arms Ron Crawford, HMCS Cornwallis, 1953
Wrens Recruiting Advertisement
Naval Reserve Recruiting Poster
HMCS Malahat Crew, 1957
Naval Fire Fighting Training
Cadets in Summer Training