Canadian Navy
73 articles
Where Did the RCN Motor Launches Get To?
HMC ML–114 (Photo from the Nauticapedia Collection.)
Some Biographical Sketches of Interesting Canadian Scientists With Naval Links
Surgeon Captain Charles Herbert Best RCN(R)
Canadian Naval Reserve From WW1 to WW2
" ... then went down to the great waters, to the cold and boredom, the laughter and the fight, Grocer’s clerks, they are and brokers Turned Quartermasters, signalmen and stokers, Salesmen swift of the tongue and glib, With a new cut to their jib;
Canadian Holders US Naval Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the United States Congress on members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of h
German U-Boat Commanding Officers Who Died by ‘Other Means’
Of the 1418 U–Boat Commanding Officers (C.O.s) in the wartime Kriegsmarine and apart from the 538 officers that were lost in action with various attackers, there were others who also did not survive for various other reasons. This is a list of those other C.O.s
HMCS Prince Robert 1941-42
HMCS Prince Robert (Photo from MacFarlane Family collection.)
Canadian Navy Hockey
RCN Hockey Team (Photo courtesy of MMBC collection (MMBC991.068.0005.050))
Early Days
From the early beginnings of modern Canada, a naval reserve force played a prominent role in the defence of Canada. The first naval reserve was established following the Seven Year’s War and the British defeat of French forces in North America.
Military Vessels Converted to Tugs and Yachts in British Columbia Waters
Canadian National No. 2 #143165 (Photo from the John Henderson collection.)
Some Notes on HMCS Iroquois In the Korean War
HMCS Iroquois in Drydock at Sasebo Japan to repair damage after being hit by enemy gunfire off the coast of Korea in 1952 (Photograph from MacFarlane collection.)
A Canadian Naval Officer's Commission Through the Royal Navy Upper Yardman's School
When I was a youngster my father and his brothers were prominent tugboat men on the British Columbia coast. Early on I formed the ambition to get a commission in the navy. My uncle Fred MacFarlane had been an officer in the RNVR during the First World War and that probably inspir
Merchant Ships Used as Fighter Carriers in World War Two
Early in World War 2 it was of much concern to the Admiralty when ships began to be sunk in significant numbers by aircraft of the German Luftwaffe, not only around the U.K. but especially by KG-40 "Condor" long range patrol and bomber aircraft well out into the Atlanti
Canadian Naval Admirals and Commodores
The careers of these officers and more than 28,000 other Canadian naval personnel are outlined in the searchable Biography Database on this website. Search by last name to find out about the naval careers and lives of these men and women. The information is derived only from publ
Tracking Down the UNTD (University Naval Training Division)
Bill Clearihue (Photo from the Nauticapedia Collection.)
A Nominal List of Numbered Auxiliary Harbour Craft of the Royal Canadian Navy
compiled by Bryon Taylor and John M. MacFarlane 2018
HMCS Galiano Wreck 1918
HMCS Galiano in Her Final Hours October 1918 (Painting courtesy of the artist, Captain Malcolm Armstrong)
Canadian Naval Football Stars
Doug von Dersch (ex-UNTD) while playing for the Hamilton Tiger Cats
Royal Canadian Navy Memorial Window
The Naval Centennial Memorial Window in St. Paul’s Anglican Church Esquimalt British Columbia
A Personal Experience of the UNTD (the University Naval Training Division)
I joined the University Naval Training Division (UNTD) in 1966 by applying in September and sitting a Selection Board at H.M.C.S. Scotian in Halifax Nova Scotia. I had first encountered UNTD officer Cadets in 1957 when I watched them racing sailing whalers in Esquimalt Harbour. I
Typical Routines of the University Naval Training Division at H.M.C.S. Cornwallis
To quote from this article please cite:
Rainbow Sea Cadets
In 1935 the Rainbow Sea Cadet Corps held its annual summer camp at Fort Rodd Hill. Here the winners of the Camp Tent Inspection proudly display their "E" (for excellence) pennant.
British Naval Reserve Organizations
Some Canadians chose to serve in Royal Navy organizations - and other were related to those who served. This is an overview of the diversity of organizations that made up the Royal Navy’s reserve.
RNCVR Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
RNCVRs of the Pacific Division Lower left – Percy Tribe. Upper right – Alan B. Ford
Walter Hose
The Naval Reserve and the Canadian Navy, itself, owe their existence to the efforts of one man – Rear Admiral Walter Hose. The sea was Hose’s life. He was born at sea in 1875; he spent 44 years in the service of Queen and King; Hose twice rescued the Royal Canadian Na
A Nominal List of Personnel of the Royal Naval Canadian Naval Reserve (Fishermen's Reserve Section)
compiled by John M. MacFarlane 2012
Fred MacFarlane: A Canadian's Experiences in the RNVR in the First World War
Fred MacFarlane as a young man before the outbreak of war. (Photo from the MacFarlane collection.)
Some Sketches of Interesting Canadian Naval Characters
While many personnel of the Royal Canadian Navy have distinguished themselves in their naval careers a number have stood out in other aspects of their lives as "personalities".
Captain James Hepburn McFarland RN: A Royal Naval Officer With a Long Career Through the Napoleonic Wars
Signature of Captain James Hepburn McFarland (Photo from MacFarlane collection.)
Canadian & Newfoundland Merchantmen Lost during the Second World War
Compiled by Commander Fraser M. McKee 2015
Early Royal Navy and Other Naval Ships on the British Columbia Coast 1778 to 1939
Compiled by John M. MacFarlane and Christopher Cole 2018
Vickers Vulture G-EBGO
HMCS Thiepval Undergoing Maintenance at Yarrows Shipyard, Esquimalt BC (MMBC Photo MMBC_993.017.2105.01)
Restoration of Name of RCN
Here is the text of the email naval message that was sent out to the navy on the occasion of the restoration of the name of the Royal Canadian Navy on August 12th, 2011.
Canadian Naval Weddings
Petty Officer Arthur A. McLeod RCNVR and Josephine May McLeod on their Wedding Day December 14, 1940 (Photo Melanie Taylor collection)
Introduction to the Nominal List of Members of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
RNCVRs of the Pacific Division Lower left – Percy Tribe. Upper right – Alan B. Ford
The UNTD Nominal List
This is the list of more than 8,100 Canadians that served in the University Naval Training Division (UNTD) of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) and the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (RCN(R)). For twenty five years (1943–1968) the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve
RCN Fishermen's Reserve Vessels
compiled by John M. MacFarlane 2012 (Updated in 2019 with additional data from Bryon Taylor)
The Bay of Islands/Cornerbrook (Newfoundland) Patrol Force
Lieutenant–Commander H.M. Spencer Lewin CBE (Commanding Officer of the Bay of Islands Patrol) (Photo from The Newfoundland Quarterly)
The Second World War Vancouver Volunteer Yacht Patrol
Unique in Canadian Naval history was the formation of the Vancouver Volunteer Yacht Patrol during the Second World War.
The Ships of the Royal Canadian Navy Present Off the Juno Beach on June 6 and 7/1944 (the Normandy D-Day Landings)
compiled by Commander Fraser McKee RCN(R) 2013 (Updated 2017)
The Royal Canadian Navy Fishermen's Reserve
Edgar Joseph Arnett, Chief Skipper (Fishermen’s Reserve Section RCNR)
Ranks of Admiral and Commodore in Canada
Canada has a rich naval heritage which tends to have a low public profile. To the detriment of the Navy and our awareness of our national culture and history, Canada's naval contribution in two World Wars, the Korean conflict and the many United Nations and NATO operations is hid
Vessels Owned and Operated by the RCAF
compiled by John M. MacFarlane 2015
The Tradition of Naval Baptism As Carried Out at HMCS Cataraqui
Originating in the British Royal Navy, it is a custom to baptize a child under the ship’s bell; sometimes the bell is used as a christening bowl, upturned and filled with water for the ceremony. Once the baptism is completed, the child’s name may be inscribed inside t
Ships of the Bedwell Bay Ship Boneyard
One of a number of advertisements placed by the War Assets and Disposal Corporation for the sale of vessels in the Bedwell Bay boneyard. (Photo from Victoria Daily Colonist November 21, 1945.)
Personel of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
compiled by John M. MacFarlane (Updated 2018)
Chronology of Canadian Naval Reserve Divisions
Personnel from HMCS Chippawa show off the range of naval uniforms.
A Short History of the University Naval Training Division (UNTD)
(much of this taken from various editions of “The White Twist” with additions and corrections by John MacFarlane) During World War Two the Canadian navy was short of qualified officers and sought ways of producing more of them. Naval Order 2854 (June 19, 1943) stated
RCN Fishermen's Reserve Vessels Still Afloat (2016)
The Royal Canadian Navy Fishermen’s Reserve was a small naval unit that was formed in anticipation of the Second World War on the Pacific coast. The unusual nature of the unit makes it a source of fascination for marine history buffs and ship watchers.
Officers Commissioned into the RCN through the RN Upper Yardman's school
For 100 years the Royal Navy has used the Upper Yardman's Scheme to commission older more experienced personnel from the lower deck. For a brief period the Royal Canadian Navy used this scheme to commission a small number of officers. The program was replaced by HMCS Venture and
A Seagoing Officers Sea Chart Book From 1799
Title Page (Photo from MacFarlane collection.)
Canadians Serving as Admirals in Foreign Navies
Some persons born in Canada went on to careers in Foreign navies and achieved high rank as Admirals or Commodores. Two who achieved flag rank in foreign navies retired to Canada. This is the definitive list of those names and the countries in whose navies they served.
Vessels Owned by or Operated by the Canadian Army
compiled by John M. MacFarlane 2013
Enemy Merchantmen Taken In Prize by Ships of the Royal Canadian Navy
MV Weser captured in the Pacific by HMCS Prince Robert. (Photo courtesy of MMBC.)
Second World War Veteran HMS Cailiff Still Afloat (For Now) In Norway
The Norwegian Trawler Borgenes (ex-HMCS Cailiff) Awaiting the Breaker’ Torch at Kristiansund, Norway. (Photo from Svein Ludvigsen collection)
Untd Recruiting Booklet
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd Brochure 1951
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd History 1963
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd Vip List Names
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd Vip List Titles
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd In Memoriam List Alpha
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Untd In Memoriam List Chrono
PDF document from the Nauticapedia archive.
Nominal list of Members of the ROUTP
The list is not complete and is derived by volunteers from publicly accessible sources. The ROUTP replaced the UNTD in 1970 as a unified training programme for reserve officers for the Canadian Forces. The UNTD was briefly re-instituted in the 1985-1987 period. The SYEP also incl
HMCS Caribou - Royal Canadian Naval Reserve Division Corner Brook
Opening of HMCS Caribou. (Photo from Crowsnest Magazine)
Canadians With Naval Career Origins Holding Ranks Equivalent to Naval Flag Officers
A number of Canadian naval personnel attained high rank in other military services and were the equivalent of naval Admirals and Commodores. This includes anyone who served in the Canadian Navy and later attained the equivalent of Flag rank. These are Canadian naval officers who
Royal Navy Admirals Serving in Canada
The Royal Navy had the duty of defending Canada's waters prior to 1910. Admirals and Commodores of the Royal Navy have been serving in North America for several hundred years. During that time 124 of them served there. Prior to the Nineteenth Century admirals with responsibility
Documents Relating to the Court of Enquiry Into the Loss of HMCS Galiano
The Memorial to HMCS Galiano located in the Ross Bay Cemetery Victoria BC. (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
Persons Commanding Canadian Naval Vessels
Over about 150 years many Canadians have commanded naval vessels in Canada and elsewhere. Some non–Canadians have commanded Canadian vessels. This list is an attempt to give interactive access to the biographies of these individuals. The list is not complete and is derived
September 11
A Canadian Naval Reserve Vessel in the Shadow of the World Trade Center
Canadian Naval Reserve
A partial alphabetical list of the personnel (those known to us from publicly available sources) who served in the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) 1914–1920
Interesting Canadian Naval Topics
In 1952, while operating in combat on the coast of Korea, HMCS Iroquois suffered casualties in action against North Korean shore batteries. The story is not often told and is a reminder that UN Operations are not always peaceful.
Canadian Naval Vessels
More than 300 smaller vessels were employed by the Royal Canadian Navy in a wide range of non–combatant tasks. Some were purpose built while others were purchased or chartered for their roles. Many of these vessels served a separate civilian life after their naval service.
Canadian Second World War Naval Topics
The list of enemy merchantmen taken in prize by ships of the Royal Canadian Navy during the First and Second World War.
Flag Ranks
The definitive lists of Canada's Admirals and Commodores – and the Admirals who settled in Canada, served in Canada and came from Canada – as well as Canadian naval personnel who went on to military positions equivalent to Canadian flag rank.
