Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval traditions and culture encompass a wide range of activities, events, and objects, often unique to naval service. Some, like the "crossing the line" (meaning, the equator) ceremony, are old and well-established, while others, such as gun shield art, related directly to Second World War experiences. Many reflect companionship, commemoration, recreation, or esprit de corps.

HMCS Westaskiwin's Gun Shield Art

A sailor, holding a cigar and a bottle of beer, points to HMCS Wetaskiwin's famous unofficial crest.

A crude pun based on the ship's nickname ("Wet Ass Queen"), the crest features a playing card with the queen of hearts sitting in a pool of water. Repainted on more than one occasion, this version appeared on the front of the corvette's ASDIC (sonar) hut, since the side of the gun shield had been covered by rails for launching rockets. Crests like this were popular with many corvette sailors, but were often frowned upon by senior officers who saw them as offensive or irreverent.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20070003-052