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.

Shearwater Flyers National Football Championship, 1957

In 1957, the Royal Canadian Navy's Shearwater Flyers (in white jerseys) defeated the Fort William Redskins to win the Canadian Intermediate Football Championship.

Created in 1947, the Flyers drew on personnel from HMCS Shearwater, the naval air station at Dartmouth, and were a successful team, winning championships in Nova Scotia, the Maritimes, and Eastern Canada. In 1957, they scored a dramatic come-from-behind victory to win the national championship with Bruce Walker's winning touchdown, seen here.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19910001-602