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Blazon

Sable, a bend wavy argent charged with two like cotises azure, surmounted by an Indigenous person's head facing sinister and couped at the shoulder proper having a fillet gules about the temples, depending there from, tips downward, four feathers of the second pied of the last, and pendant from the ear an annulet silver.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

During the Second World War HMCS SAGUENAY badge used, unofficially, was a shield displaying three maple leaves and an Indigenous person's head somewhat similar to the one shown here. To commemorate this ship's war service, the head is retained in the official badge design. The black background refers to what one early explorer described as the "dark woods" of the region drained by the Saguenay River. This was probably due to the heavy stands of fir which, under certain lighting conditions gave the landscape a dark appearance. The wavy white and blue diagonal stripe represents the Saguenay River itself, from which the ship derives her name.

Remarks

Saguenay (I) was a River class destroyer. She wore both pennants D79 and 179 from her commissioning in May 1931 to the paying off in July 1945. Saguenay (II) is a member of the St. Laurent class of destroyers. Commissioned in December 1956, she was paid off into refit for her conversion to an Improved St. Laurent class of DOH. She recommissioned in May, 1965 and wore pennant 206.

Motto

A L'erte (Ready to act)

Colours

Red and black

Battle Honours

Atlantic 1939–42

References

Badges Of The Canadian Navy by Arbuckle, J. Graeme. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1987.

CFP 267 - Badges of the Canadian Forces, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.