Birth of the Navy (1910-1914)
Creating the Navy

Created in 1910, the Naval Service of Canada was renamed the Royal Canadian Navy in 1911. It was the product of an intense Canadian political debate driven by Great Britain's efforts to bolster its naval defences against the rapidly growing German navy.

Arrival Ceremony, HMCS Rainbow, Esquimalt, British Columbia

A guard of honour, including a diminutive ship's boy (centre), was on hand to greet dignitaries.

Visitors included the Director of the Naval Service, Rear-Admiral Kingsmill (facing the camera, with beard and moustache), and British Columbia premier Richard McBride (facing camera in top hat), on 11 November 1910.  Commander J.D.D. Stewart (centre, back to camera), HMCS Rainbow's first captain, was, like most of the crew, on loan from the Royal Navy. The breech of one of Rainbow's 4.7 inch quick-firing guns can be seen in the foreground.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19890167-005