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The Later Cold War
A Changing Fleet

Canada's navy changed and shrank in the latter part of the Cold War, but continued to face threats and meet alliance obligations. Despite the addition of some newer vessels, by the late 1970s it faced "rust-out" due to the gradual deterioration of ships and equipment.

HMCS Gatineau
HMCS Gatineau

This photograph shows the destroyer escort HMCS Gatineau in its original configuration, shortly before it began an extensive refit.

Intended to increase the ship's anti-submarine capabilities, the refit included the removal of the ship's after gun mounting (centre right) and one of the two Limbo anti-submarine mortars whose triple angled tubes are just visible on the right, and the installation of more capable weapons and sensors. The jack flying at Gatineau's bow (left) indicates that this photograph was taken after the February 1968 creation of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, which replaced the Royal Canadian Navy, but before the beginning of Gatineau's refit in late 1969 or early 1970.

Naval Museum of Alberta





HMCS Iroquois, Artist's Concept
HMCS Athabaskan
Model, HMCS Bras d'Or
HMCS Bras d'Or
HMCS Ojibwa
HMCS Ojibwa Model
Uniform, Lieutenant Commander Edward Ross Murray
Model, HMCS Assiniboine
HMCS Gatineau
HMCS Gatineau
Model, HMCS Nipigon
Naval Chaff Launcher
The Watch Below – Engine Room – HMCS Yukon
Hands to Supper – Galley and Steamline – HMCS Yukon
FN C1D Rifle
Diving Knife
Soviet Naval Aircraft
Soviet Aircraft Carrier and Bombers
HMCS Huron and HMCS Kootenay, 1990
Baltic Patrol