Canada's Naval History

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First World War (1914-1918)
HMCS Grilse, Torpedo Boat

HMCS Grilse was the Royal Canadian Navy's fastest ship during the First World War. Originally built as the yacht Winchester, Grilse was converted to a torpedo boat and served off Canada's Atlantic coast.

Artifact Record

H.M.C.T.B. Grilse Cap Tally

Commonly called a "cap tally," black silk ribbons like this were worn around sailors' hats to denote the ships in which they served.

Sailor Isaac Ernest Brown wore this cap tally while serving in the torpedo boat Grilse. It is embroidered with "H.M.C.T.B Grilse," denoting His Majesty's Canadian Torpedo Boat Grilse, although it is far more common to see the Grilse referred to as HMCS, His Majesty's Canadian Ship. Cap tallies could also indicate other connections, such as a specific service branch like minesweeping.

Cap Tally
CWM 19790653-001