Chamber pays tribute to Vimy Ridge and marine shipping’s role in First World War

NEWS RELEASE

Ottawa, Ontario — On the eve of the commemoration at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on Sunday in France, the Chamber of Marine Commerce pays tribute to the many Canadians that bravely fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and aided in the war effort.

Bruce R. Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce and a board director of the Vimy Foundation, says: “On this important 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, this is an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made in the name of peace and to educate our youth on the many historical contributions from all corners of Canadian society, including our marine shipping industry that provided ships to transport supplies, equipment and soldiers during the war.”

Burrows adds: “Canada’s First World War legacy is best symbolized with the victory at Vimy Ridge where Canada first stepped onto the world stage. This remains a key part of our collective understanding as a country because many of today’s core Canadian values were contributing factors to the battle’s success, including leadership and innovation – things exhibited by the marine sector today in Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping, which has been undergoing extensive reinvestment in new technology.”

Many different companies contributed their Great Lakes ships and manpower to cross the Atlantic to aid the cause of the Allied Forces. Most of the Great Lakes ships were involved in coastal trading overseas but some were also called upon for transatlantic service and the industry worked collaboratively for a common cause.

For example, Canada Steamship Lines, which still exists today as a division of the CSL Group, was one of those companies that responded to the need.

Some of CSL’s carriers could sail right through the small, existing locks of the Third Welland Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway. As the war progressed, one CSL ship and some larger American upper lakes freighters, were cut in two, bulk-headed and towed to the St. Lawrence in sections. There the parts were rejoined and they entered the fray.

Twenty-nine CSL ships were taken from their commercial routes along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes and put into service at the battlefront between 1914 and the war’s end on Nov. 11, 1918. Of those vessels, 14 were sunk by enemy u-boats, gunships or mines and two foundered in storms at sea. At least 75 crew members lost their lives.

* Historical Photos of Great Lakes ships available upon request.  Info on ships at https://www.cslships.com/en/WWI.

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About the Chamber of Marine Commerce

The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 130 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber has merged with the Canadian Shipowners Association, combining resources to advocate for an efficient regulatory climate that promotes a strong and competitive marine industry for the benefit of all industry stakeholders throughout the bi-national Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and along the eastern seaboard and northern coasts.  Based in Ottawa, Canada, the merged entity will continue to be called the Chamber of Marine Commerce.

Media Contact

Julia Fields

Chamber of Marine Commerce

613-294-8515