home
Objects and Photographs

Photographs

Rope-work, HMCS Niobe
Rope-work, HMCS Niobe

The Boatswain (pronounced Bo'sun) (standing) was responsible for the care and maintenance of all ropes, lines, and cables onboard ship.

Here, he supervises two sailors who appear to be splicing (joining) a heavy line. Rope work remained an important skill in the navy even though the kilometres of cordage of a traditional sailing ship had been replaced by the simplified rigging of steamships. Signalling, moving heavy objects and ship's boats, and securing objects on a ship demanded a continued knowledge of knots and rope.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030174-058



British Ships in Halifax, 1901
American Cruiser USS Olympia
HMS New Zealand (right) and HMAS Australia (left)
HMCS Niobe, Stern View
HMCS Rainbow arrives at Esquimalt, British Columbia
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles E. Kingsmill
Arrival Ceremony, HMCS Rainbow, Esquimalt, British Columbia
First Naval Recruits, HMCS Niobe
Royal Naval College of Canada, Class Photo, 1911
Royal Naval College of Canada, Machine Shop
Cartoon, HMCS Niobe Coronation Contingent, 1911
Sailors Marching, Esquimalt
HMCS Niobe at Anchor
Boxing Match, HMCS Niobe
Visitors Exploring HMCS Niobe
Coaling the Ship, HMCS Niobe
Gun Practice, HMCS Niobe
Gun Deck, HMCS Niobe
"Seeing the World in Comfort," HMCS Niobe
HMCS Niobe in Drydock, around 1911
Diver Going over the Side
View of "Victory" Boat alongside HMCS Niobe
Rope-work, HMCS Niobe
Two Stokers, HMCS Niobe