Canada's Naval History

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Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

The Later Cold War
From RCN to Maritime Command

The creation of the single-service Canadian Forces in 1968 transformed the Royal Canadian Navy into Maritime Command. The unification of the armed services brought tremendous change, introducing standardized uniforms and other common procedures that replaced older traditions. Federal policy and human rights rulings also increased the use of French, and began to abolish most limits on women's military service.

Artifact Record

HMCS Cormorant Model

The diving support ship HMCS Cormorant was the first Canadian naval vessel to have a mixed crew of men and women.

Purchased in 1975, the fishing trawler Aspa Quarto was extensively rebuilt before entering Canadian service in 1978. As a diving support ship, Cormorant had facilities to support divers, and carried small, deep-diving submersibles including the red and white SDL-1 (left) in a large hangar (centre left). A large crane (far left) hoisted the submersibles into and out of the water. Due to its mixed crew, Cormorant was sometimes called the "Love Boat".

Model Ship, Diving Support Vessel
CWM 20080056-002

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