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.

Naval Fire Fighting Training

Three naval officer cadets in protective suits practice fighting fires during training in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Accidents, malfunctions, or enemy action can cause fires on board vessels or in shore establishments. Because fires, and especially fires at sea, pose grave dangers to life and property, fire fighting is an essential part of training for naval personnel. This photograph is from the collection of Robert Stevens, who joined the University Naval Training Division, a program which trained university students to become naval officers.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20050109-004