Canada's Naval History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic - U-Boats and Convoys

The struggle between German U-Boats (submarines) and Allied convoys was the core of the battle of the Atlantic. U-Boats sought to destroy Allied merchant vessels and warships, while Allied convoys sought to transport food, supplies, weapons, and personnel across the Atlantic.

Artifact Record

On Escort Duty

The Canadian corvette HMCS Shawinigan (lower right) patrols the edge of a large convoy off New York City, as United States Navy airships (middle left and middle right) watch for submarines.

Shawinigan would have operated in conjunction with other ships and aircraft escorting the convoy. In 1942, New York City supplanted Halifax as the great departure point for trans-Atlantic convoys. Canadian escort ships continued to play an important role in shepherding convoys off the east coast and across the vast Atlantic Ocean.

On Escort Duty
Painted by Harold Beament
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1040

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