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.

HMCS Grilse and Allies' Flags

This 1915 commemorative image of HMCS Grilse was printed over a backdrop of Allied flags and a laurel wreath symbolizing victory.

In this patriotic motif, the Allies' flags, from left to right, are those of France, Great Britain, Belgium, and possibly Russia, although the colours are not a precise match for the latter. Grilse's high speed and war-like appearance lent themselves more readily to such images than did the converted government ships more typical of the Royal Canadian Navy's fleet in 1915.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19940001-944