Interwar Years
The 1920s: A Navy Struggling to Survive

Following the end of the First World War, the Royal Canadian Navy faced significant threats to its continued existence. In the face of significant cutbacks, the navy focused on maintaining a small force to train sailors and to protect the country's coasts against enemy ships.

Anchor Light, HMCS Patriot

This lantern shows a white light to indicate that a ship is at anchor. It is from the early interwar destroyer HMCS Patriot.

A tag reading "ANCHOR," partially visible on top of the lantern, helps identify its function, as does the all-round clear lens, the special shape of which helps concentrate the light to make it more visible. Anchor lights help vessels avoid collisions while in port or at anchor; other lights help identify moving ships or perform other functions.

Anchor Light
CWM 19660074-029