The Early Cold War
Rebuilding and Transformation

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare, as it had been in the two world wars. It sought to build a force of ships, personnel, and facilities to fulfill this mission, as well as to pursue other national objectives like sovereignty protection.

HMCS Magnificent and Destroyer

The Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent (left) was a key element of the Canadian fleet in the early post-war period.

Seen here with Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft (left) on its flight deck, Magnificent, originally built for Britain's Royal Navy, served with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) between 1948 and 1956. A destroyer (right) escorts the carrier and is ready for rescue duties if an aircraft crashes during takeoff or landing. The result of wartime plans, the post-war acquisition of aircraft carriers by the RCN enhanced the navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19840132-016