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First World War (1914-1918)
Atlantic Theatre

In response to the threat of German naval activity, the east coast navy expanded from its tiny pre-war establishment to include a wide assortment of ships. Their range of duties included blockading, convoy escort and minesweeping.

HMCS Laurentian and Margaret
HMCS Laurentian and Margaret

The navy acquired these ships during the First World War to combat the threat of German U-Boat attacks.

Starved for funds since its creation in 1910, the RCN was forced to expand rapidly and haphazardly using ships like these. When U-Boats raided along the east coast of Canada in the summer of 1918, sinking civilian vessels, the navy was blamed for failing to protect the nation. The ships are, left to right, top to bottom, a drifter; the trawler HMCS Laurentian, and HMCS Margaret.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19750148-059





"A Pill for Kaiser Bill", HMCS Niobe
Medal Set, Sub-Lieutenant J.M. Paul, HMCS Niobe
Thomas Hayes, Royal Naval Reserve, Newfoundland, HMCS Niobe
SS Brindilla
HMCS Stadacona and HMCS Niobe
HMCS Canada
HMCS Shearwater, Stadacona, and Lady Evelyn
Gatling Gun, HMCS Bayfield II
HMCS Laurentian and Margaret
Canadian Minesweepers
Olympic with Returned Soldiers
The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter
Looking Astern on a Sub-Chaser
Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off
Royal Canadian Navy Trawlers, Northwest Arm, Halifax