First World War (1914-1918)
Atlantic Theatre

In response to the threat of German naval activity, the east coast navy expanded from its tiny pre-war establishment to include a wide assortment of ships. Their range of duties included blockading, convoy escort and minesweeping.

Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off

Arthur Lismer depicts an American flying boat taking off from Halifax on an aerial patrol to search for German U-Boats.

Following America's entry into the war in April 1917, the United States Navy established bases in Halifax and North Sydney in 1918 to fly patrols against U-Boats and to assist in convoy escort. Anxious over Canada's reliance on US air protection, Sir Robert Borden's Unionist government created in 1918 a Royal Canadian Naval Air Service to carry out such operations. The war ended before it could become operational.

Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off
Sketch by Arthur Lismer around 1918
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19770224-008