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.

HMCS Canada

HMCS Canada, a government patrol vessel seen here in St. John's, Newfoundland, was pressed into Royal Canadian Navy service during the First World War.

Launched in 1904, CGS (Canadian Government Ship) Canada, flagship of the Fisheries Protection Service, subsequently became an important training ship for Canada's embryonic navy. The German naval threat during the First World War forced the Canadian navy to acquire almost every available Canadian government ship, as well as many civilian vessels. Canada was transferred to the navy in August 1914 and commissioned the next year as HMCS Canada, conducting patrols off the east coast.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20080041-025