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"The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) came into existence on May 4, 1910, when the Naval Service Act became law, and later that year its first ships were commissioned - two cruisers purchased from the Royal Navy (RN). Apart from two submarines acquired in 1914, Niobe and Rainbow were the only offensive warships to serve in the RCN during the First World War.
The Act provided, however, that the Department of Naval Service should incorporate the fishery patrol, hydrographic, tidal survey, and wireless telegraphic services of the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The ships associated with these services were the backbone of the young navy during most of the war. When not needed as naval vessels they carried on their regular peacetime duties, sometimes performing both roles simultaneously..."
"During the Second World War the RCN grew from 13 ships to some 450, excluding the smaller auxiliaries. The majority were engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic and fought throughout most of the war around several series of convoys running between North America and the United Kingdom. This battle was fundamental to Britian's survival, and the importance of the RCN's role in it can hardly be exaggerated.
Reverting with astonishing speed from a wartime to a peacetime footing, the RCN had fewer ships in commission at the end of 1946 than at the outbreak of the war: an aircraft carrier, two cruisers, two new Tribal Class destroyers, a frigate, a minesweeper, and a former U-boat. These were of course, wholly inadequate even as a training force, and in succeeding years many ships - especially frigates - were brought out of retirement and given major refits..."
* A copy of the hardcover book "The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces" is contained in the library of the Maritime Command Museum and is available for reference to those interested. It describes in detail 495 of the ships that have served in Canada's naval forces.
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