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First World War (1914-1918)
Atlantic Theatre

In response to the threat of German naval activity, the east coast navy expanded from its tiny pre-war establishment to include a wide assortment of ships. Their range of duties included blockading, convoy escort and minesweeping.

SS Brindilla
SS Brindilla

In October 1914, HMCS Niobe seized the American oil tanker SS Brindilla and sent it to Halifax as a prize.

The Brindilla had been transferred from German to American ownership following the war's outbreak, and Great Britain argued that this was a legal sleight-of-hand to avoid the ship being seized by Allied forces. The then-neutral United States vigorously opposed such interference in its trade and the oil tanker was soon released. By intercepting supplies bound for Germany, Great Britain hoped to disrupt the German war effort.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030109-013_5





"A Pill for Kaiser Bill", HMCS Niobe
Medal Set, Sub-Lieutenant J.M. Paul, HMCS Niobe
Thomas Hayes, Royal Naval Reserve, Newfoundland, HMCS Niobe
SS Brindilla
HMCS Stadacona and HMCS Niobe
HMCS Canada
HMCS Shearwater, Stadacona, and Lady Evelyn
Gatling Gun, HMCS Bayfield II
HMCS Laurentian and Margaret
Canadian Minesweepers
Olympic with Returned Soldiers
The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter
Looking Astern on a Sub-Chaser
Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off
Royal Canadian Navy Trawlers, Northwest Arm, Halifax