2015 Canada S$30 Canada's Merchant Navy Battle Of The Atlantic 2 Oz NGC PF70 UC

Description: This is a beautiful 2015 Canada S$30 2 Oz. Canada'sMerchant Navy Battle Of The Atlantic 2 Oz. Silver Commemorative Coin. 2 Oz. Silver Coin! The coin has been graded PF70 Ultra Cameo by NGC, a perfect coin.---------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Battle of the Atlantic was not won by any navy or air force, itwas won by the courage, fortitude and determination of the Britishand Allied merchant navy." – Rear Admiral Leonard Murray,Commander-in-Chief Canadian North Atlantic From its very onset in September 1939, the Second World War'slongest continuous military campaign was fought in the waters ofthe Atlantic Ocean. During six long years of naval warfare, enemyU-boats and warships targeted Allied transport ships in an attemptto cut off vital Allied supply lines between Europe and NorthAmerica. A decisive Nazi victory at sea could have starved GreatBritain into submission but Canada's Merchant Navy would play acentral role in maintaining this Atlantic lifeline, which providedmuch needed personnel, food, fuel and weapons to the Alliedcause in Britain and beyond. Every available merchant ship would serve as pivotal transportsfor these supplies, and protecting these ships from the enemy wasessential. While the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) could offerprotection by air as far as its planes could travel, the RoyalCanadian Navy (RCN) oversaw the placement of these ships intoconvoys; these column formations were then escorted by armednaval escorts. This perilous transatlantic journey carried great risk for themerchant mariners who served in Canada's fleet of transportships. Knowing that their non-military vessels were key targets,they nonetheless carried out voyage after voyage, transportingvital supplies and dangerous cargo around the world throughtreacherous ocean passages and harsh conditions, ever vigilant ofthe constant enemy threat from above or below. At first, the Allies suffered devastating losses as U-boats wererelentless, operating in groups (or "wolf packs") to torpedo convoyships. Many of these ships were lost in the North Atlantic, in anarea nicknamed the "black pit" that was beyond the reach of Alliedaircraft; others were sunk off the shores of South America andAfrica. It also brought the war to Canadian shores as several shipsfell prey to attack in Canadian waters, leading to the temporaryclosure of the St Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence totransatlantic shipping. In the spring of 1943, the tide began to turn; Canada's shipbuildingindustry was turning out new ships (including the famouscorvettes), and Allied escort ships were better equipped andmanned with experienced crews. Fast ships were positioned tocome to the aid of a threatened convoy; small flight deckswere added to merchant ships, allowing three or four aircraft toserve as additional defence and British Intelligence had finallycracked the secret code used by U-boat commanders. The Battle of the Atlantic continued on for two more years, until thevery end of the war. Merchant ships made more than 25,000voyages between 1939 and 1945, delivering 165 million tonnes ofcargo overseas. In spite of the perilous task at hand, the heroismof these 12,000 Canadian men and women made animmeasurable contribution to the Allied war effort at home andabroad, and has left a proud legacy for all Canadians toremember. "…we think with special gratitude of the many merchant seamenwho have fallen in the fight and whose service and sacrifice willalways be a proud memory." – Lord Leathers, Ministry of WarTransport An ideal gift for someone you know interested in war history! Special features: • Crafted from 99.99% pure silver, this coin commemorates theBattle of the Atlantic and the role played by Canada's MerchantNavy in ensuring the Allied cause was maintained abroad. • The obverse features the effigy of King George VI by T. H.Paget. • Exceptional engraving and the use of multiple finishes bring tolife the finely detailed image of a convoy of Canadian shipscoming under attack. • A symbolic gift for those whose loved ones served at seaduring the Second World War. • A beautiful collectible for commemorators, and a prestigiousaddition to any Canadian military- or history-themed collection. About the Design: The reverse design by Canadian artist Yves Bérubé features animpeccable combination of expert engraving and beautiful finishesand depicts the dangerous conditions endured by transatlanticships during the Battle of the Atlantic between 1939 and 1945. It isa calm evening on July 11, 1943; in the foreground, the oceansteamer SS Duchess of York (left) is featured prominently, with athick plume of steam billowing out from its funnels. Requisitionedas a troopship during the war, the large vessel is part of theconvoy dubbed "Faith," which has been spotted by enemy aircraftoff the coast of Spain. Two Focke-Wulf Fw-200 Kondors havebegun their high-level bombardment, with one bomb hitting thewater starboard side off the ship's bow, where detailed engravingadds movement through the motion of the water's surface. One ofthe convoy's escort ships, the Tribal-class destroyer HMCSIroquois (right), has unleashed anti-aircraft fire but it is all in vainagainst this airborne attack. While SS Duchess of York and 34 ofits crew wouldbe added to the Allied casualties suffered during theSecond World War's Battle of the Atlantic, 628 of its survivorswould be rescued and transported to safety by Iroquois. Did you know… • Merchant ships made more than 25,000 voyages between1939 and 1945, delivering 165 million tonnes of cargo overseasin convoy formations that were defended by armed naval escorts. • On June 15, 1940, the Erik Boye became the first Canadian-flagged merchant ship sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic. • Attacks took place in the waters of the Caribbean and alongthe eastern seaboard—including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, whichled to the closure of the St. Lawrence to all transatlantic shippingfrom 1942 to 1944. • U-boats engaged in a "wolf pack" tactic of congregating asa group in the path of an oncoming convoy, then unleashing amass attack to overwhelm the escort ships. • Losses in the Battle of the Atlantic reached their peak in March1943. Two months later, in May 1943, Allied forces turned thetable destroying more than two dozen U-boats, forcing theirtemporary withdrawal from the North Atlantic; May 1943 is thuscelebrated as the "turning point" of the Battle of the Atlantic. • The range reached by Allied aircraft was limited during theearly years, leaving convoys without an air escort for part of thejourney; flight decks were later added onto merchant ships tocreate Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MACs) that would allow them tocarry three or four aircraft for added airborne defence. • When war was declared, Canada had 38 ocean-goingmerchant vessels; by 1945,Canada's shipyards had built 410, at apeak rate of almost two merchant ships per week in 1944. Canada's dedication to creating a merchant fleet made it the 4thlargest during the war. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Specifications: Mintage - 5000Composition - .9999 AgFinish - ProofWeight - 62.67gEdge - SerratedFace Value - $30Artists - Yves Berube (Reverse) Susanna Blunt (Obverse)

Price: 199.95 USD

Location: Irvine, California

End Time: 2024-12-01T21:58:41.000Z

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