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Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - Weapons and Technology

Combatants in the battle of the Atlantic relied on weapons and technology to attack the enemy, to defend themselves, to communicate, and to rescue friends and foes.

Royal Canadian Navy Lifeboat Bailer
Royal Canadian Navy Lifeboat Bailer

Included in the outfit of lifeboats and other emergency craft, collapsible bailers like this were intended to remove water brought on board by waves, spray, or rain.

A long line (left) kept the bailer from being lost, and also allowed it to be put into the water, where it would act as an improvised drogue, or sea anchor, helping to keep the lifeboat or raft facing into oncoming waves. The braking effect of the drogue also reduced drifting caused by wind, and therefore helped searchers locate survivors.

Lifeboat Bailer
CWM 19801044-019





4-inch Naval Gun and Mounting
.5-inch Vickers Mk III Heavy Machine-gun
"Pom-Pom" Anti-Aircraft Gun, HMCS Kamloops
Anti-Aircraft Gun and Crew in Action
Depth Charge and Thrower
Hedgehog Anti-submarine Projectile
Squid Anti-submarine Mortar
"Squid Explosion", HMCS Copper Cliff
ASDIC Hut
Protection
Medium Frequency Direction Finding Loop
Binnacle, HMCS Swansea
Gyroscopic Compass
Sextant
Taffrail Log
Wheel House
Fueling Mid Atlantic
German Signal Lamp
W/T Operator and Messenger
"Mae West" Life Belts, HMCS St. Laurent
Royal Canadian Navy Life Vest
Royal Canadian Navy Lifeboat Bailer
Lee-Enfield Line-throwing Rifle