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The Second World War
The Merchant Navy  - Serving with the Merchant Navy

During the Second World War, Canadian and Allied merchant mariners faced the constant hard work of operating and maintaining their ships, the threat of enemy attack, and the dangers of accidents and storms.

Torpedo Damage, MS Kronprinsen
Torpedo Damage, MS Kronprinsen

The badly damaged Norwegian merchant ship MS (motor ship) Kronprinsen floats alongside a dock in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This view shows the Kronprinsen's twisted hull and the platform (left) where a gun was mounted as part of the ship's defences. The German U-Boat (submarine) U-432 torpedoed the Kronprinsen off the southern tip of Nova Scotia, killing one crew member. Towed to Pubnico, Nova Scotia, for temporary repairs and to unload its cargo, the Kronprinsen was subsequently brought to Halifax before being taken to Boston, Massachusetts, for full repairs.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19720151-037





Merchant Navy War Service Badge, Somer Oscar James
Painting a Life Raft, SS Temagami Park
Engine Room, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Shaft Tunnel, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Merchant Navy Uniform, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Balaclava, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Christmas Card, SS Lady Rodney
Identity Bracelet, Robert Bush
Torpedoed, North Atlantic
Burning Oil Tanker
Torpedo Damage, SS Samtucky
Torpedo Damage, MS Kronprinsen
Storm Damage, SS Joel R. Poinsett
MV Nipiwan Park
Memorial Cross, Third Engineer Alfred Henry Perry, SS Fort Longueuil
Rescuing Survivors
HMCS Longueuil Rescues Survivors
Port of New York Identity Card, Ernest Shackleton
Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James
Telegram, Percy Kelly, SS Lady Hawkins
Chief Officer Percy Kelly