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.

HMCS Barrie

HMCS Barrie was one of 111 Canadian-built corvettes which made up the bulk of the Royal Canadian Navy's convoy escorts during the battle of the Atlantic.

Canada's corvettes were intended for patrol and anti-submarine work near Canadian ports but, by mid-1941, had to take on the role of mid-ocean escorts. As built, Canadian corvettes had light armament, inadequate ASDIC (sonar), radar, and navigation systems, and cramped crew accommodations. Refits solved many of these problems, but Canadian corvettes were modified more slowly than most Allied vessels due in part to Canada's limited shipyard facilities.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19870211-071

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