Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) - Image Gallery - The Memory Project

Close

From the story of:

View Original

The Royal Canadian Navy was one of the world’s largest navies at the end of the Second World War. In the Korean War, RCN ships were the first Canadian forces sent overseas and patrolled the waters around the Korean Peninsula for five years.

TIP: Click image to enlarge.

TIP: Tap image to enlarge.

A thick coating of North Atlantic ice, seen from the wheelhouse of HMCS Wetaskiwin.

A thick coating of North Atlantic ice, seen from the wheelhouse of HMCS Wetaskiw ...

Burnie Forbes as he begins to paint the Wet Ass Queen - an irreverent interpretation of the ship's name, HMCS Wetaskiwin. "A painting of the Wet Ass Queen once hung in the wardroom of the Wetaskiwin, but had mysteriously disappeared. In 1942, I was asked to paint my version of the Queen on ship's gunshield. Until war's end, I kept her looking fresh and perky." Today the Wet Ass Queen hangs in the historic Crow's Nest Officers' Club in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Burnie Forbes as he begins to paint the Wet Ass Queen - an irreverent interpreta ...

The ships' company of HMCS Wetaskiwin, 1944. Burnie Forbes is on the extreme right of the front row.

The ships' company of HMCS Wetaskiwin, 1944. Burnie Forbes is on the extreme rig ...

The Griffin family crest adorns the gun shield of the corvette H.M.C.S. Pictou with Captain 'Tony' Griffin, 1942.

The Griffin family crest adorns the gun shield of the corvette H.M.C.S. Pictou w ...

Crew of HMCS Montreal (K319) in early 1944.

Crew of HMCS Montreal (K319) in early 1944.

R. Cosburn and Lieutenant F.A. Beck (right) at the Asdic set on the bridge of H.M.C.S. BATTLEFORD, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, November 1941. A scene like this would have been familiar to Jim Grant during his service as a telegraphist in HMCS Montgomery.
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-184187

R. Cosburn and Lieutenant F.A. Beck (right) at the Asdic set on the bridge of H. ...

Wilf Digby (right) with Chief Petty Officer Roberts (left) onboard the HMCS Arnprior in the North Atlantic, January 1945.

Wilf Digby (right) with Chief Petty Officer Roberts (left) onboard the HMCS Arnp ...

Wilf Digby served onboard the HMCS Grou (pictured here) at the end of the war in September 1945.

Wilf Digby served onboard the HMCS Grou (pictured here) at the end of the war in ...

On board the HMCS Lanark in the North Atlantic Ocean while on convoy duty, 1944.

On board the HMCS Lanark in the North Atlantic Ocean while on convoy duty, 1944.

Naval ratings unloading a torpedo before the refit of an unidentified Town-class destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 1941.
Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-105202

Naval ratings unloading a torpedo before the refit of an unidentified Town-clas ...

As this photo by Michael Levett shows, landing on an aircraft carrier can be exceptionally difficult and dangerous.

As this photo by Michael Levett shows, landing on an aircraft carrier can be exc ...

In this photo by Michael Levett an airplane hangs from an aircraft carrier, partially submerged in the ocean. Landings at sea can be extremely difficult.

In this photo by Michael Levett an airplane hangs from an aircraft carrier, par ...

Michael Levett's photograph shows an airplane teetering on the brink of the carrier. In Levett's words: "Attrition rate on landing [was] high."

Michael Levett's photograph shows an airplane teetering on the brink of the car ...

The crew of U-877, now prisoners of war, receive instructions aboard HMCS St. Thomas.

The crew of U-877, now prisoners of war, receive instructions aboard HMCS St. Th ...

The programme of the 'Meet the Navy' show held at London's Hippodrome in 1945 was performed by personnel of the Royal Canadian Navy, with songs 'The Boy in Bell Bottom Trousers' , 'Mutiny on the Bounty' and 'Rockettes and WRENS'.

The programme of the 'Meet the Navy' show held at London's Hippodrome in 1945 w ...

Crew of the HMCS <em>Fort William</em> setting out minesweeping gear, 1944/45.

Crew of the HMCS Fort William setting out minesweeping gear, 1944/45.

Crew members of the minesweeper HMCS <em>Fort William</em> on deck in the English Channel, 1944/45

Crew members of the minesweeper HMCS Fort William on deck in the English Channel ...

HMCS <em>Dundas</em>, K229, soon after launch.

HMCS Dundas, K229, soon after launch.

The officers of the HMCS <em>Lachine</em> and guests from the town of Lachine onboard for a dinner party in Halifax Harbour in August 1944

The officers of the HMCS Lachine and guests from the town of Lachine onboard fo ...

HMCS St. Thomas. Wally Powell was aboard HMCS St. Thomas for 17 months between 1943 and 1945.

HMCS St. Thomas. Wally Powell was aboard HMCS St. Thomas for 17 months between 1 ...

Official Naval Photo of the Officers and Crew of HMCS <em>Uganda</em>. The ship was in the Indian Ocean, en route to Australia and then the Pacific War theatre. Stoker Donald Sale is seated on a 6" gun barrel at left with his arms folded. 1945

Official Naval Photo of the Officers and Crew of HMCS Uganda. The ship was in t ...

Service aboard the HMCS <em>Uganda</em> for a burial at sea. 1945

Service aboard the HMCS Uganda for a burial at sea. 1945

Securing ammunition lockers after torpedo attack, HMCS Teme, 1945

Securing ammunition lockers after torpedo attack, HMCS Teme, 1945

Securing ammunition lockers, <em>HMCS Teme</em>, 1945

Securing ammunition lockers, HMCS Teme, 1945

/ 14

1
…
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14