Gunshield and Shipboard Art on Ships of the RCN

 


 

Gunshield art on ships of the RCN became prominent during the Second World War particularly on the corvettes that served in the RCN.  Gunshield art varied greatly from ship to ship - incorporating crests of towns they bore the name for, cartoon characters, pin-up girls, etc.  Little record was kept of these works of art and much has been lost to time.  David Freeman, a retired Lieutenant Commander whose father and uncle served in the RCN throughout the Second World War, has written a book on the subject - Designs of Distinction - which helps fill in the knowledge gap on this portion of RCN heritage and history.

 

Heraldry on the High Seas - Crowsnest magazine article

 


 

This page is divided into three sections:  Section 1 - Ships in Commission   -  Section 2 - Ships Commissioned Post Second World War

 

Section 3 - Ships Commissioned during the Second World War 

 


 

If you have any photos of the gunshield art on HMC ships or artwork throughout the ship that you would like to share on For Posterity's Sake, please send me an EMAIL.

 


 

SECTION 1 - SHIPS CURRENTLY IN COMMISSION IN THE RCN

 


 


 

Kingston Class Mine Warfare Vessels

 

 


 

SECTION 2

 

GUNSHIELD AND SHIPBOARD ART

 

on ships that were commissioned post Second World War that have since been paid off

 


 

Clicking on the artwork below will take you to the ship's page associated with the artwork

 

ALGONQUIN 283

ANNAPOLIS 265

FRASER 233

OKANAGAN SS74

 


 

SECTION 3

 

GUNSHIELD ART AND SHIP'S WARTIME BADGES (OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL)

 


 

Some of the ships had slightly different versions their artwork - depending on the artist and the CO at the time .... and on some occasions it changed completely. Other ships did not have gun mounts large enough for artwork so they had their "badges" mounted on the face or side of the bridge or on their funnel in some fashion. Not all ships displayed artwork.

 

The table below is alphabetical - not by class, type of ship.

 

Clicking on the artwork below will take you to the ship's page associated with the artwork

 

AGASSIZ K129

ALGONQUIN R17

ARVIDA K113

ANNAN K404

ARROWHEAD K145

BARRIE K138

BATTLEFORD K165

BAYFIELD J08

BITTERSWEET K182

CALGARY K231

CHICOUTIMI K156

COBALT K124

CAMROSE K154

DAUPHIN K157

DRUMHELLER K167

EDMUNDSTON K106

FREDERICTON K245

GEORGIAN J144

HALIFAX K237

HAWKESBURY K415

LACHINE J266

LCI(L)-118

LCI(L)-266

LCI(L)-311

LONGUEUIL K672

LUNENBURG K151

MAHONE J159

MALPEQUE J148

MASTODON

MATAPEDIA K112

MINAS J165

MONCTON K139

MOOSE JAW K164

MORDEN K170

NAPANEE K118

PICTOU K146

PORT ARTHUR K233

PRESCOTT K161

PRESTONIAN K662

Q062

Q072

Q080

REGINA K234

SACKVILLE K181

SARNIA J309

SASKATCHEWAN H70

SASKATOON K158

SKEENA H01 / D59 / I59

SNOWBERRY K166

SOREL K153

SUMMERSIDE K141

TRANSCONA J271

U-190

VILLE DE QUEBEC K242

WALLACEBURG J336

WOODSTOCK K238

 


 

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