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's Crew

This photograph shows much of the crew of the torpedo boat HMCS Grilse posing around the ship's aft 12-pounder gun.

Although a very fast ship, capable of over 30 knots (55 km/h), Grilse was relatively small at about 60 metres in length, and crew members often suffered as the ship rolled and pitched in heavy seas. In December 1916, Grilse was caught in a storm and nearly lost while on a voyage to join British forces in the Caribbean. The crew successfully fought the storm, but six were swept overboard to their deaths.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19790653-007