Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters  - Coastal Operations: United Kingdom and European Waters

The Royal Canadian Navy, employed on coastal patrols, convoy escort duty, and support operations, made an important contribution to the naval war that raged in the waters around the United Kingdom and off the nearby European coast.

Stokers, HMCS Huron

In this undated photograph, stokers group around HMCS Huron's "A" gun while the ship is alongside another destroyer (right).

Visible on many of their right arms are the three-bladed propeller badges indicating their specialty. These sailors were part of a team that prided itself on being able to give Huron's captain, Lieutenant-Commander Herbert S. Rayner, the power and manoeuvrability needed during battles around Arctic convoys and against German destroyers in the English Channel. Huron had three oil-fired boilers feeding two powerful steam turbine engines that could drive the ship as fast as 36 knots (over 66 kph).

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19890282-003