100 years of Royal Canadian Navy.

The Naval Service Act brought the Royal Canadian Navy(RCN) into being on May 4, 1910. When the first World War broke out, the RCN had fewer than 350 sailors and two under-equipped warships. By the end of the Second World war, it had grown into one of the World's greatest Naval Forces. The Canadian Navy has been a valuable component of Canada's contribution NATO; the navy has provided humanitarian relief on numerous occasions and has participated in the recent campaign against Terrorism and other domestic and international operations. As the warships of Canada's Navy continue to serve the Nation, the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy is an opportunity to honour its accomplishments and celebrate its legacy.

The two stamps were designed as separate artworks, but appear as one canvas. They share the same painterly sky, marine life and open sea environments. The two ships, though of a different age appear as part of the same fleet. The first stamp has one of Canada's first warships, the HMCS NIiobe and the second has the modern frigate, the HMCS Halifax.