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In Peril on the Sea

The Royal Canadian Navy and the Battle of the Atlantic

Donald E. Graves

 

The epic story of the Canadian navy's important role in the longest and most cruel battle of the Second World War.

"The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril." Winston Churchill

This is the story of a forgotten fighting service. During the Second World War the Royal Canadian Navy expanded from a tiny force of ten warships in 1939 to the third largest Allied navy by 1945. The RCN's primary wartime role was convoy escort in the North Atlantic, and Canadian warships served in this grim theatre, where the weather was an enemy almost as dangerous as the U-boats, for nearly six years.

In Peril on the Sea is the story of the Canadian navy and its important contribution to Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic ­ the most crucial battle of the Second World War. Much of this fascinating saga is presented through the personal accounts of 65 eyewitnesses ­ British, Canadian, German sailors, submariners and merchant seamen ­ who participated in the Second World War's longest operation.

The book contains nearly 200 photographs, drawings, maps, graphics and ship profiles which bring to life with compelling immediacy the grim but courageous struggle to preserve the sea lanes of freedom between 1939 and 1945.

Commissioned by the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust and written by one of Canada's foremost historians, In Peril on the Sea will appeal to general and specialist readers alike.

The author 

Donald E. Graves is the director of Ensign Heritage, a company specializing in heritage consulting and travel, and lives with his author wife, Dianne, near Ottawa.
He is also an internationally recognized military historian whose many books on land warfare have garnered praise from readers and reviewers alike.

Graves's Field of Glory was described by one reviewer as "history at its best: exciting, entertaining, and readable," while his study of the bloody 1814 battle of Lundy's Lane, Where Right and Glory Lead, was termed an "excellent example of the 'sharp end' of military history" and his South Albertas: A Canadian Regiment at War was praised "as one of the finest unit histories ever published" which "in fact transcends the genre to rate as a truly great history of Canada at war."

In Peril on the Sea is Graves's first book of naval history, although he has published a number of articles on naval topics which arose out of his experience as an historian on the team researching and writing the history of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War.
His current project is to edit a second volume in the Fighting for Canada series.

Click here to go to a complete list of books by Donald E. Graves.

For more information on Donald E. Graves and his writing, see "Sword and Pen," the author's website at <http://www.ensigngroup. ca>.

In Peril on the Sea includes a number of components:

  • text by Donald E. Graves
  • personal accounts by eyewitnesses
  • superb photographs
  • drawings of ship types by L.B. Jenson
  • maps and diagrams by Christopher Johnson
  • technical sections on antisubmarine warfare topics, including U-boats, the convoy system, corvettes, radar and other aids, weapons, intelligence, and air cover
  • detailed appendices listing all RCN ships that served in World War II
  • photo tour of HMCS Sackville, the last corvette

The details 

  • 256 pages, 10 x 8 inches landscape format
  • Paperback with durable sewn binding
  • About 200 photographs, maps and drawings
  • Appendices, endnotes, bibliography, index
  • Publication: May 2003 in Canada, August in U.S.A.

ISBN 1-896941-32-X

In Canada: $34.95

In U.S.A.: $34.95

   

Hardcover LImited Edition

In Peril on the Sea is available in a special numbered limited edition of 250 copies published to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and to support the work of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.

Hardcover bound in Kennett Cloth with full-colour jacket.

ISBN1-896941-35-4

In Canada: $75.00

In U.S.A.: $60.00

   

HMCS Sackville, Canada's Naval Memorial

In 1982, after 40 years of service as a warship and peacetime auxiliary vessel, HMCS Sackville was retired and turned over to a group of naval volunteers for restoration to her wartime configuration. In 1985 the Canadian government declared HMCS Sackville Canada's Naval Memorial.

The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust maintains and operates HMCS Sackville for the benefit of all Canadians, supported by volunteers and the tax-deductible contributions of donors.

Visit the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust website.

HMCS Sackville is open to the public each summer (June-Sept.) at her own wharf on the Halifax waterfront. (Photo courtesy Lyncan Photographic, Halifax)

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