The Second World War
The Merchant Navy  - Serving with the Merchant Navy

During the Second World War, Canadian and Allied merchant mariners faced the constant hard work of operating and maintaining their ships, the threat of enemy attack, and the dangers of accidents and storms.

HMCS Longueuil Rescues Survivors

Sailors aboard the Canadian frigate HMCS Longueuil (right) throw a line to survivors on a raft (left) during a rescue.

The survivors, from the MV (motor vessel) Panama, stand aboard a rectangular wooden raft like those fitted to many merchant ships. Alongside, a round, inflatable rubber raft dropped by a rescue aircraft floats on the water. This photograph is part of a series documenting the rescue of five of the Panama's crew by the Longueuil and a United States Navy aircraft. These five were fortunate; searches or chance sightings by ships and aircraft did not always locate survivors in time to save them.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19930068-013