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Blazon

Bendy wavy of eight or and azure, a white whale embowed head to dexter base, tail to center chief proper, and charged on the shoulder with a grid gules.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

To design a badge for a ship named after the great St. Lawrence River many references are called upon. First the background of blue and gold, the colours of the French King are derived to represent the flowing river. The White or Arctic Whale is said to be the protective spirit of the river. The red grid is associated with St. Lawrence himself. The day that Cartier first entered the waters of the river coincided with the anniversary of the Saint's martyrdom, supposedly by roasting on a grid.

Remarks

St. Laurent (I) was originally HMS Cygnet. She was commissioned into the RCN in February 1937. A member of the River class of destroyers, she wore pennant H83 until she was paid off in October 1945. St. Laurent (II) was the lead ship of the St. Laurent class of destroyer escorts. She was commissioned in October 1955. Later, she underwent conversion to the Improved St. Laurent class of DOH. She wore pennant 205 until she was finally paid off in June 1974.

Motto

"Ever on guard"

Colours

Blue and gold

Battle Honours

Atlantic 1939–45, Normandy 1944.

References

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