Canada's Naval History

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Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

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.

Wrens Recruiting Advertisement

This 1958 newspaper advertisement targets women as recruits for the Wrens, the women's service of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

In addition to the primary image of a woman in uniform, the advertisement also uses a picture of one of the navy's new destroyers as a background. Originally established in 1942 during the Second World War, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service had been disbanded in 1946. Initially re-established as part of the naval reserves in 1951, in 1955 the Wrens became part of the RCN's regular force.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19760601-003

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