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Olympic with Returned Soldiers
Olympic with Returned Soldiers

War artist Arthur Lismer captured the return of the troopship SS Olympic (centre) to Halifax harbour following the First World War.

Olympic's multi-coloured dazzle camouflage, added in 1917 at the height of the German U-Boat threat, was intended to make the ship more difficult to identify and target. The painting also provides a glimpse of the busy Halifax dockyard, Canada's principal wartime naval base. Pressed into service in 1915, Olympic became one of the war's most famous troop ships. Affectionately known as "Old Reliable," Olympic would carry over 200,000 British, American, and Canadian troops to and from the fighting fronts.

Olympic with Returned Soldiers
Painted by Arthur Lismer in 1919
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-0343



Naval Service of Canada Recruiting Poster
Naval Service of Canada Recruitment Poster
Olympic with Returned Soldiers
The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter
Looking Astern on a Sub-Chaser
Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off
The Return of U-9
"We risk our lives to bring you food. It's up to you not to waste it."
Qu'importe l'existence des Neutres! L'Allemagne est au dessus de tout! (Neutrality is irrelevant! Germany sees herself above all else!)
HMCS Grilse on Convoy Duty
Canada's Grand Armada, 1914
Canada's Answer
Convoy in Bedford Basin
The Night Patrol - Canadian Motor Torpedo Boats Entering Dover Harbour
Victory Bonds Will Help Stop This
Polsons Iron Work Yard, Ship War Hydra on Stocks
Starting the Freighter
Hull of a Minesweeper under Construction
A New Gun for the Destroyer
Outfitting a Minesweeper at Night
Diver, First Class
Seamen on Jetty Being Instructed on Bends and Hitches
Signal Flag Hoist
Barrington Street Patrol, Halifax