The Navy: A Century in Art
The Navy at Sea

The Canadian navy is a creature of the sea. Its ships, equipment, tactics, and experiences have been conditioned by the major environments in which it serves. Historically, the most important of these have been Canada's long and ragged coasts and the storm-tossed northern waters connecting Canada to the world.

St. Lawrence Convoy
Painted by Harold Beament in 1943

Beament's dramatic painting illustrates the closeness of naval battlefields to Canadian shores.

The artist, who served during the battle of the St. Lawrence, depicts both merchant ships and escorts - a Fairmile motor launch in the foreground, and a minesweeper on the far right. The confined waters along Canada's east coast complicated naval operations, while underwater conditions made the detection of enemy submarines difficult.

Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1049