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.

Thomas Hayes, Royal Naval Reserve, Newfoundland, HMCS Niobe

Thomas Hayes was one of many Newfoundlanders who served with Canada's navy on the east coast.

At the start of the war, the cruiser Niobe was desperately short of trained crew. To fill its complement, it steamed to the then-independent colony of Newfoundland and enlisted 107 sailors. With the Newfoundlanders, other volunteers, and sailors transferred from the west coast, Niobe soon put to sea, helping to enforce the British blockade of Germany and its allies. Along with British cruisers, Niobe kept watch on American east coast ports, intercepting ships carrying supplies from the United States to German and neutral European ports.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030109-011_17