The Royal Canadian Navy's wartime fleet drew on British, Canadian government, and civilian ships like these.

The threat of German surface raiders and U-Boats prompted the conversion of a varied assortment of government and civilian ships into armed warships in order to augment the RCN. HMCS Shearwater (top) was a Royal Navy sloop already a relic by 1914; HMCS Stadacona (middle) was a civilian yacht; and HMCS Lady Evelyn (bottom) was a postal service steamer. Despite their origins, the last two were robust and quick enough to be involved in convoy duties in Canadian waters.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19750148-041