This section brings together the approximately 700 objects and photographs used in Canada's Naval History. Use this section to directly access objects and photographs grouped by type, as shown below, or use the search function above to search through them by title.

HMCS Westaskiwin's Gun Shield Art

A sailor, holding a cigar and a bottle of beer, points to HMCS Wetaskiwin's famous unofficial crest.

A crude pun based on the ship's nickname ("Wet Ass Queen"), the crest features a playing card with the queen of hearts sitting in a pool of water. Repainted on more than one occasion, this version appeared on the front of the corvette's ASDIC (sonar) hut, since the side of the gun shield had been covered by rails for launching rockets. Crests like this were popular with many corvette sailors, but were often frowned upon by senior officers who saw them as offensive or irreverent.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20070003-052