Thunder Bay News – On May 4, 2025, Canada marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic — the longest and one of the most decisive campaigns of the Second World War. While ceremonies were held in major naval cities across the country, the communities of Port Arthur and Fort William (now Thunder Bay) took time to remember a lesser-known but critically important legacy: their industrial and logistical contributions to the Allied war effort.
It was 80 years ago in 1945 that Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to allied forces in Europe marking VE Day.
The Battle of the Atlantic was a key victory in World War 2 – as it kept Great Britain in the fight and allowed the massing of the personnel and supplies for D-Day and the advance into Hitler’s Fortress Europa.
From steel and grain to ships and sailors, Northwestern Ontario played a pivotal role in keeping Allied supply lines moving across the Atlantic, even as the U-boat threat loomed large.
⚓ A Battle That Defined Canada’s Navy
The Battle of the Atlantic (1939–1945) was more than just a fight at sea — it was a sustained and deadly struggle to safeguard the lifeline between North America and Europe. More than 2,100 Canadian sailors, 1,700 merchant mariners, and 900 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel lost their lives.
HMCS Esquimalt, the last Canadian ship sunk in the war, was torpedoed just three weeks before V-E Day, with 44 lives lost within sight of Halifax.
“The Battle of the Atlantic left a lasting imprint on Canada’s national story and the identity of the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN. “We honour the bravery of the Canadians who served with unwavering resolve and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
🛠️ Thunder Bay’s Wartime Contributions: Port Arthur & Fort William
While the explosions and convoy battles raged far away in the North Atlantic, Canada’s inland cities were quietly fuelling the war effort — and none more so than the twin communities of Port Arthur and Fort William, later amalgamated into Thunder Bay.
🚢 Shipbuilding on Lake Superior
At the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company Ltd. (PASCOL) and Western Dry Dock, wartime demand triggered a surge in production:
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The region helped build Park-class and Fort-class freighters, essential to replacing vessels lost to German U-boats.
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Workers, including women stepping into industrial roles for the first time, constructed and repaired hulls, fitted engines, and readied ships for the perilous journey through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to join the Atlantic convoys.
These ships would later be protected by Flower-class corvettes — more than 120 of which were built across Canada, including in Ontario — designed specifically for anti-submarine escort missions.
🌾 Grain and Supplies from the Lakehead
Thunder Bay was — and remains — a key grain port. During the war:
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Grain elevators in Port Arthur and Fort William stored Prairie wheat and oats bound for Britain to feed soldiers and civilians.
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The area was known as Canada’s Grain Gateway, with rail lines moving tonnes of food and war materials east for Atlantic shipping.
🛤️ Rail and Manufacturing
The cities also served as a rail hub, linking Western Canada to ports in Quebec and the Maritimes. Wartime manufacturing in the area included:
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Ship components and vehicle parts
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Material for munitions and aircraft production
Thunder Bay’s logistical positioning and workforce made it a critical supply and transport link in the Allied war chain.
🎖️ Canada’s Navy: From Underdog to Global Force
In 1939, Canada’s navy was small — just six destroyers and 3,500 personnel. But by 1945, the Royal Canadian Navy had become the third-largest Allied navy, boasting:
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373 fighting ships
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Nearly 100,000 sailors
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A reputation as a world leader in anti-submarine warfare
Of the 25,000 Canadians who served at sea in the Battle of the Atlantic, most were reservists or part-time sailors — ordinary Canadians who signed up for the duration of the war. Their sacrifices helped secure an Allied victory and reshaped Canada’s place on the global stage.
🌊 Legacy and Commemoration
This year’s 80th anniversary comes at a time when global instability is rising once more, including renewed military conflicts in Europe. Canada’s armed forces and maritime community continue to honour the lessons and sacrifices of the past.
At the local level in Thunder Bay, ceremonies and public exhibits highlight the role of the Lakehead region. Naval plaques, museum displays, and school programs ensure new generations understand how their inland city was connected to the vast ocean war.
“Their story is a proud and enduring chapter in Canadian military history,” reads the official statement from the Department of National Defence. “Today, our sailors carry that legacy forward.”
Thunder Bay may lie far from the Atlantic coast, but in the shipyards and elevators of Port Arthur and Fort William, the city helped secure freedom across an ocean.
