B O O K R E V I E W
www.vanguardcanada.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025 27
Topshee, with his post-war predecessor,
Vice Admiral Harold Grant, who was re-
sponsible for building the Cold War fleet
in equally uncertain times.
Uniquely introduced with two Fore-
words, one by the Commander of the
Royal Canadian Navy representing the
ships and the other, appropriately, by the
Commander of the Royal Canadian Air
Force representing the maritime aviation
assets - this book is an account of the pro-
cess of warship and maritime aircraft acqui-
sitions, which is a continuing story. But to
me it is more than a definitive history of
Canada's naval and maritime air forces, it is
also an illustrative reflection of the political
will of successive Canadian governments,
in peace and war, and their determination
to restrain any illusions of naval grandeur
and constrain a navy to a frugal existence
based on a minimalist fleet of frigates and
destroyers, eschewing large capital ships.
But times have changed, and the small ship
navy envisioned by Prime Minister Laurier
may be changing, as destroyers grow in
size and complexity and submarines rep-
resent a necessary larger part of standing
naval forces.
Attractively priced for a hardcover of this
size and standard, it offers the benefits of
an official history packaged in a pleasantly
readable book. This work is meticulously
researched and in addition to being a com-
plete history of naval Canada's fleets, it of-
fers a brief look into the immediate future
with River-class destroyers, Protecteur-
class replenishment ships and P8 mari-
time patrol aircraft. I would recommend
Guardians of the North, without hesitation,
to anyone with an interest in the "what"
that has comprised Canada's naval forces
since inception, as it will likely surprise
many with some heretofore unknown re-
capitalization initiatives. Besides, it has
been written by two Canadian naval offi-
cers who have actually served in these ships
– this makes it refreshingly different from
almost all other accounts.
This work is meticulously researched and in addition to being a complete
history of naval Canada's fleets, it offers a brief look into the immediate
future with River-class destroyers, Protecteur-class replenishment ships
and P8 maritime patrol aircra.
A century of commitment,
a partnership with purpose
baesystems.com/canada
