Battle of the Atlantic 80th Anniversary
Victory at Sea
The primary role of the RCN during the Battle of the Atlantic was, “The safe and timely arrival of the convoy at its destination . . . “
There were five hundred fifty-four trans-Atlantic convoys comprising twenty-four thousand, five hundred fifty ships of which over 97% safely reached their destinations.
Ships of the RCN were involved in the sinking of thirty German U-boats and three Italian sommergibili as well as three destroyers, seven minesweepers and an E-boat while aircraft of the RCAF sank another twenty-two U-boats and assisted the RCN with three of their sinkings.
Our display includes:
- a helmet from U-889 which surrendered to the RCN at the conclusion of the war
- a German merchant ensign seized from the German merchant vessel HERMONTHIS off Peru in April 1941 by sailors from HMCS PRINCE HENRY
- the painting “Passing?” by Harold Beament 1943
- photos of HMCS ASSINIBOINE’s battle with U-210 in August 1942 and the medal ribbons, including the Distinguished Service Medal, of ERA4 Donald Portree of Hamilton. This was the same action for which A/CPO Max Bernays was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
- a 36″ long model of HMCS TIMMINS, representing the 122 built in Canada and the ten lost during the war
- a White Ensign, the flag that warships of the RCN flew during the war and until 1965
- a traditional “square rig” uniform with “HMCS” cap tally and a Lieutenant Commander of the “wavy navy” in battledress
- assorted items of a sailor’s kit including a rolled up hammock