the gaspé area played a big role during the war. gaspé bay was strategically located near the mouth of the st. lawrence river and was considered a very suitable place for harbouring merchant ships and allied warships, such as the british fleet in case great britain would be invaded. the depth and the shape of the bay allowed for maximum accessibility and defence. this mandate was given by the department of national defence in early 1940 and the rcn's high command worked on top-secret plans for procedures to defend shipping by convoy escorts in the gulf of st. lawrence and st. lawrence river. throughout the year many army, navy and air force bases were constructed along the st. lawrence river between gaspé and montreal. was the first navy vessel to operate from gaspé, starting from october 1940, but returned to sydney, nova scotia () later and was replaced by . together with the armed yachts , and , these vessels formed the extent of the rcn's fleet based at hmcs "fort ramsay". the base also supported other rcn warships operating in the gulf of st. lawrence throughout the war.