NAVY HISTORY - Ships - Fisherman's Reserve

HMCS TALAPUS

The Fisherman’s Reserve was organized by the RCN between 1939 and 1942 which operated along the Canadian Pacific Coast until 1945. It was made up of private and company fishing boats which were recruited and trained at the Esquimalt Naval Base and was purposed to patrolling and protecting the British Columbia Coast against potential and after December 7th, 1941 real Japanese aggression. The unique knowledge of the coastline which the reservists could offer was an efficient, effective and politically positive way to expand Naval support in BC and address the issue of a general lack of resources to blanket the entire coastline with a Naval presence. Additional information regarding individual vessels will be added to this page and related links below offer current crew, vessel, and activity histories. For additional information regarding the formation, training, and operation of the Fishermen’s reserve, please see the Fisherman’s reserve page in the RCN Section.