Canada's Naval History

Home > Explore History > Birth of the Navy (1909-1914) > HMCS Rainbow

Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

Birth of the Navy (1909-1914)
HMCS Rainbow

One of the Naval Service of Canada's first two ships, HMCS Rainbow's duties included the training of sailors and maintaining a naval presence on Canada's Pacific coast. Small and inexpensive to operate, Rainbow was well suited to these purposes, but limited budgets still constrained the ship's activities.

Walter Hose, Commander of HMCS Rainbow

Walter Hose, seen here aboard HMCS Rainbow, became a significant figure in Canadian naval history.

After extensive experience in the British navy, Hose recognized the opportunities for advancement in Canadian service and transferred to Canada to command Rainbow in 1911, formally joining the Royal Canadian Navy a year later. Hose was instrumental in creating both the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve and its successor, the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. As Director of the Naval Service from 1922 to 1934, he fought to keep the RCN a viable institution in an era of meagre budgets.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20020045-2180