The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia  - The Royal Canadian Navy and the Pacific Coast

The Royal Canadian Navy was active in operations along the Pacific coast from 1939 to 1945, patrolling British Columbia waters and helping to support the Allied war effort. West coast shipyards built ships for the navy and the merchant navy.

HMCS Prince Robert Alongside Pier # 1

Rowley Murphy's 1943 drawing shows HMCS Prince Robert readying to sail through the Panama Canal for the Mediterranean theatre.

After west coast patrols and service alongside American ships in the Aleutian Islands, the versatile Prince Robert underwent yet another transformation to become the Royal Canadian Navy's only anti-aircraft cruiser, designed to help protect other ships against enemy airplanes. The two other "Prince" ships, Prince David and Prince Henry, were also modified at Esquimalt and Vancouver, becoming Infantry Landing Ships to carry troops and landing craft for amphibious assaults.

HMCS Prince Robert Alongside Pier # 1
Drawn by Rowley Murphy in 1943
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-2389