The Early Cold War
Naval Aviation

Between 1946 and 1970, Canada's navy operated three aircraft carriers to help fulfil its anti-submarine mission and to help protect ships against enemy aircraft. These carriers required specialized equipment, procedures, and training for their crews.

Life Raft and Emergency Supplies

Wren Beryl Bateman poses with an inflatable life raft and safety equipment at HMCS Shearwater, near Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Flying operations over water required safety measures in case of crashes or forced landings. Aircraft carried inflatable life rafts and packs of emergency equipment for their crews. Rafts and equipment could also be dropped to people in the water as part of rescue efforts. Among the equipment is a pair of sectional paddles (centre right), packages holding food and water, and dye markers that coloured the ocean to help attract searchers' attention.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19820319-002