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.

First Naval Recruits, HMCS Niobe

"Canada's First Naval Recruits" pose in front of their ship, HMCS Niobe.

The Naval Service of Canada, which placed great emphasis on its British connections and traditions, drew its personnel almost exclusively from English-speaking Canadians. Due to a shortage of trained Canadians, however, British personnel from the regular Royal Navy and officers from the Royal Naval Reserve helped crew Niobe and HMCS Rainbow.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030174-049