Interwar Years
The 1920s: A Navy Struggling to Survive

Following the end of the First World War, the Royal Canadian Navy faced significant threats to its continued existence. In the face of significant cutbacks, the navy focused on maintaining a small force to train sailors and to protect the country's coasts against enemy ships.

Canadian Submarines CH-14 and CH-15

Britain transferred these "H" class submarines to Canada to replace the worn out First World War submarines CC-1 and CC-2.

Arriving in Halifax from Bermuda in 1919, the two submarines were refitted and entered Canadian service in 1921. Although these two boats were American-built, Canadian Vickers' Montreal shipyard had built similar submarines for Britain. Taken out of service in June 1922 because of budget cuts, CH-14 and CH-15 lay rusting in Halifax's Northwest Arm alongside the decommissioned light cruiser HMCS Aurora until 1927, when all three vessels were sold for scrap.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19910109-187