A Great Fleet Of Ships The Canadian Forts and Parks by S C Heal - January 14, 2000

During World War II Canadian shipyards built more than four hundred merchant ships, most of them 10,000-ton cargo ships. For the first time this extraordinary accomplishment is described in detail, including the design of the ships, their construction, and each ship's operation and history. Also provided is a fold-out plan, to scale, of the British ship from which the Canadian program originated. The dispersal of these ships at the end of the war and the near demise of the Canadian merchant marine is also discussed. Eyewitness accounts bring to life the many adventures of the merchant crewmen who manned these so-called "Forts and Parks" ships. Superbly illustrated, the book is a welcome addition to maritime history and a tribute to the Canadian war effort.