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The RCN expanded rapidly and substantially during the Second World War, with vessels transferred or purchased from the Royal Navy and US Navy, and the construction of many vessels in Canada, such as corvettes and frigates. The RCN ended the war with the third-largest naval fleet in the world, and an operational reach extending into the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean. The List of Royal Canadian Navy ships of the Second World War lists over 1,140 surface warships, submarines and auxiliary vessels in service during the war. It includes all commissioned, non-commissioned, loaned or hired ships, and all ships crewed by RCN personnel, including 30 depot ships (or "stone frigate's"), under the command of the RCN.
Contents
Aircraft carriers
Light Cruisers
Armed merchant cruisers
Destroyers
*(US Navy Wickes and Clemson-class vessels commissioned into the Royal Navy as Town class, and later loaned to the RCN. Some also commissioned into the RCN.)
Motor Launches
*(Canadian Fairmiles were not commissioned. They were not named, until sold off, or assigned as tenders to various bases post-war. Ships loaned to Free French Navy (FFN) served under Canadian command.)
Submarines
Auxiliaries
(The symbol FY in the pennant number denotes fishing vessels of the Fisherman's Reserve which constituted a large portion of the auxiliary fleet throughout the Second World War.)
Accommodation vessels
Cable layers
Diving vessels
Hospital ships
Mine Laying Vessels
Mobile Deperming Crafts
Survey vessels
W/T Calibration vessels
Depot Ships
Depot ships, also known as "stone frigate's" or "accommodation ships" are those navy shore establishments that are by tradition allocated ship names. In some instances the name for an establishment located at a harbour is derived from an actual ship stationed permanently in that harbour.