Canada's Naval History

Home > Explore History > The Navy Today > Continuing Commitments

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 Navy Today
Continuing Commitments

Beginning in the 1990s, long-standing efforts to renew the ships and equipment of Canada's navy began to produce results, with new vessels entering service. At the same time, the navy continued to fulfill national commitments to alliance operations and, following terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, to "the war on terror".

Artifact Record

HMCS Chicoutimi Ball Cap

This ball cap bears the name of HMCS Chicoutimi, the last of four Victoria class submarines delivered to Canada's navy.

In 1998, Canada acquired four Upholder class submarines from the United Kingdom. Built for Britain's Royal Navy, but decommissioned and stored after the Cold War ended, they were overhauled in the United Kingdom and prepared for Canadian service. During Chicoutimi's 2004 trip to Canada, a fire broke out after water from a large wave entered the boat through an open hatch. Several crew members suffered from smoke inhalation, and one, Lieutenant Chris Saunders, died.

Ball Cap
CWM 20030306-004