Converted Civilian Vessels

During the First World War, the Navy bought, converted, and commissioned countless vessels from private owners, shipping firms, and other government services. Several were even remnants of the Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron. Most returned to civilian service after the war, although some reappeared in naval service during the Second World War.

Converted Civilian Vessels
Characteristics:
 
 
Name
Displacement
Dimensions (ft)
Speed
Crew
Armament
ACADIA
1,350
170 x 33.5 x 19
8
59
1 4" , 1 12 Pdr 
ALGERINE
1,050
210.5 x 32.5 x 11.5
12
??
4 3 Pdrs
CANADA
557
206 x 25 x 13
14
60
2 12 Pdrs, 2 3 Pdrs
CARTIER
556
164 x 29 x 13
12
??
3 12 Pdrs
CONSTANCE
185
115 x 20 x 11
10
23
 
CURLEW
185
116 x 20 x 11
10
23
 
FLORENCE
257
144 x 22.5 x 7.5
12
??
1 3 Pdr
GALIANO
393
162 x 27 x 13
11
33
 
GRILSE
287
202 x 18 x 9
30
56
2 12 Pdrs, 1 14" TT
GULNARE
262
137 x 20.5 x 14
10
25
 
HOCHELAGA
628
193 x 28 x 15
12
??
1 12 Pdr
LADY EVELYN
483
189 x 26 x 9.5
9
??
 
LAURENTIAN
355
149 x 24 x 11
11
??
1 12 Pdr
MALASPINA
392
162 x 27 x 13
11
33
1 6 Pdr
MARGARET
756
182 x 32 x 15
15
??
2 6 Pdrs
NEWINGTON
???
???
??
??
???
PETREL
185
115 x 20 x 11
10
23
 
RESTLESS
???
???
??
??
???
SHEARWATER
980
204 x 33 x 11.5
12
??
4 4 Pdrs, 4 3 Pdrs
STADACONA
682
196 x 33.5 x 11
12
62
1 4"
TUNA
124
153 x 15 x 5
24
??
1 3 Pdr, 2 14" TT

Ships:
 
 
Name
Launched
Commissioned
Paid Off
ACADIA
1913
16/1/17
2/10/39
03/19
3/11/45
ALGERINE
6/6/1895
1917
1919
CANADA
1904
25/1/15
11/19
CARTIER
1910
??
9/18/39
??
12/12/45
CONSTANCE
1891
??
??
CURLEW
1892
??
??
FLORENCE
1903
19/7/15
08/16
GALIANO
1913
15/12/17
??
GRILSE
1912
15/7/15
10/12/18
GULNARE
1893
??
??
HOCHELAGA
1900
13/8/15
1920
LADY EVELYN
1901
06/17
1919
LAURENTIAN
1902
05/17
01/19
MALASPINA
1913
1/12/17
6/9/39
31/3/20
31/3/45
MARGARET
1914
3/2/15
3/4/19
NEWINGTON
??
??
??
PETREL
1892
??
??
RESTLESS
1906
??
??
SHEARWATER
10/2/1900
8/9/14
13/6/19
STADACONA
1899
13/8/15
31/3/20
TUNA
1902
5/12/14
10/5/17

Photos:
 
 

HMS SHEARWATER was the RN Station Sloop based at Esquimalt prior to the outbreak of the First World War, at which time she was handed over to the RCN, for whom she largely served as a training platform. Courtesy of Corvus Publishing Group.
 

Back to the Canadian Navy - WWI Fleet

This section of the HG&UW site created and maintained by Sandy McClearn.
Copyright © 1997-2001, Sandy McClearn. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.