Canada's Naval History

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Birth of the Navy (1910-1914)
HMCS Niobe

HMCS Niobe, one of the Naval Service of Canada's first two ships, was intended in part to train Canadian sailors. A large, obsolescent cruiser, Niobe required many crew and was expensive to operate. Lengthy repairs after it ran aground in 1911, and subsequent budget cutbacks, limited the ship's activities.

"Stokers Band," HMCS Niobe

The "Stokers Band" poses during a "practice" on a pile of coal or coal ashes.

This image of sooty stokers and their musical instruments may have been intended as a "gag" photograph. It is in keeping with other photographs that make light of the more onerous tasks aboard ship. Niobe's entry ports (left and right) and one of Niobe's 12-pounder guns (left centre) can be seen in the background.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19830056-042