Report of the Department of the Naval Service for the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 1911

2 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38 A. 1912

PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT
OTTAWA
PRINTED BY C. H. PARMELEE, PRINTER TO THE KING’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY
1911

Sir, — I have the honour to report on the Department of the Naval Service for the year ending March 31, 1911.

The Naval Service Act was passed on May 4, 1910, and steps were immediately taken to organize the Department of the Naval Service. The Department is divided into the following branches :—

• Naval.
• Fishery Protection.
• Tidal and Current Survey.
• Hydrographic Survey.
• Wireless Telegraph.

1. NAVAL BRANCH.

Rear Admiral C. E. Kingsmill was appointed Director of the Naval Service, and the services of four Naval Officers were obtained on loan from the Imperial Government to assist in the organization of the Department.

Orders in Council were passed appointing rates of pay and allowances for the Officers and men of the Naval Service, and regulations for the entry of Officers and men.

In October the department was transferred from the temporary offices on Slater street to offices which had been prepared in Sussex street.

Negotiations, which had been in progress to purchase cruisers from the Admiralty to serve as training ships, were completed after the passing of the Naval Service Act, and the first-class cruiser Niobe and second-class cruiser Rainbow were acquired, and, having undergone necessary alterations, the ships left England for their respective stations.

These ships were manned by a nucleus crew consisting of Active Service Ratings lent by the Imperial Government, and a proportion of Imperial Pensioners and Royal Fleet Reserve Men.

The Niobe sailed on October 10, and arrived at Halifax on October 21, where she remained during the winter in order to obtain recruits, and to assist in the organization of the dockyard.

On arrival at Halifax, six midshipmen, who had been under training in O.G.S. Canada, together with their Naval Instructor, were transferred to Niobe.

The Rainbow sailed on August 18, and arrived at Esquimalt on November 7, after an uneventual but successful voyage, and had no defects to make good after her voyage of 15,000 miles. During the winter she cruised round Vancouver Island and along the coasts of British Columbia on Fishery Protection Service, and effected the capture of an American schooner for fishing inside territorial waters.

On the arrival of the ships at Halifax and Esquimalt, respectively, recruiting was started. By arrangement with the Post Office Department, postmasters were appointed Recruiting Officers in seventy-five (75) cities and towns in the Dominion; posters were exhibited throughout the Dominion and a recruiting pamphlet was widely distributed. As a result recruiting has been satisfactory, and the complement of the Niobe is practically complete whilst there are still a few vacancies in the Rainbow. As the advantages of the Service become more widely known, it is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in obtaining recruits.

In November, a competitive examination was held for the entry of Medical Officers to fill three vacancies; the results were quite satisfactory and the Officers were duly appointed.

In November a competitive examination was also held for the entry of Naval Cadets, at which twenty-one (21) qualified for entry; the hospital building in Halifax Dockyard having been altered and adapted for use as a College, the Royal Naval College was opened on January 19, 1911, when the first term cadets joined. Considerable progress has been made with their education, although naturally many difficulties had to be contended with at the start.

The Accountant and Stores Branches are being organized with the assistance of officers lent from the Imperial Service: contracts have been entered into for the supply of provisions and clothing in Canada.

The dockyards at Halifax and Esquimalt, having been transferred by Imperial Order in Council, were taken over by the Department in November, and are now administered by officials of the Department. It is not proposed to open up Esquimalt Dockyard at present since there is not sufficient work to employ a permanent staff; at Halifax, however, the work on the vessels connected with this Department and those under the control of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, will be sufficient to employ a permanent staff, and the dockyard staff has been organized accordingly.

The government programme for the construction of vessels comprises four (4) cruisers of the Improved Bristol Class and six (6) destroyers of an Improved River Class; tenders have been invited for the construction of these vessels, and are due on May 1, 1911.

The report of the Director of the Naval Service on the Naval Branch is appended at page 15.

REPORT OF THE MILITARY BRANCH.

OTTAWA, May 4, 1911.
The Deputy Minister,
Department of the Naval Service,
Ottawa.

Sir, — I have the honour to forward herewith the annual report of the Military Branch of the Department of the Naval Service for the year ending March 31, 1911.

The outcome of the Imperial Conference of 1909 was the determination of the Government to establish a Naval Service, and preliminary steps to this end were taken towards the latter part of 1909.

NAVAL SERVICE ACT.

On January 12, 1910, a Bill was introduced into the House of Commons intituled (sic) 'An Act Respecting the Naval Service of Canada.’ After prolonged debate, it was finally passed and became law on May 4, 1910.

This Act provides for the establishment of a Department of the Naval Service and transfers from the Department of Marine and Fisheries, the Wireless Telegraph, Fisheries Protection, Hydrographic and Tidal Survey Branches.

The Act gives the Minister control of all naval affairs with a Deputy Minister [NB. new line starting with " . ". Printer's glitch?] Officer called the Director of the Naval Service.

It empowers the Governor in Council to appoint a Naval Board to advise the Minister and to organize and maintain Permanent, Reserve and Volunteer forces. The Governor in Council is also empowered to place at the disposal of His Majesty, for general service in the Royal Navy, ships or men of the Naval Service.

It also provides for the establishment of a Naval College; and the adoption of the Naval Discipline Act, and the King’s Regulations and Admiralty Instructions in use in the Royal Navy.

ORGANIZATION.

Consequent upon the passing of the Naval Service Act, Mr. G. J. Desbarats was appointed Deputy Minister, and Rear Admiral C. E. Kingsmill, Director of the Naval Service. Four officers from the Royal Navy have been ‘lent’ by the Admiralty for duty at Headquarters, to assist in the organization and administration of the technical departments, whilst officers were appointed by the Civil Service Commission to organize the non-technical departments. A civil officer from both the Accountant and Stores Departments at the Admiralty has been ‘ lent’ for a period of six months to advise on the organization of these branches.

The principal work effected in the new Department has been drawing up regulations for the government of the Naval Service, and for the entry of Officers and men and recruiting generally; the purchase and equipment of Niobe and Rainbow and the preparation of specifications for the ships of the government programme.

SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME.

During the debate on the Naval Service Bill, Sir Wilfrid Laurier announced that it was the intention of the government to construct four cruisers of the improved Bristol class and six destroyers of the improved River class. These ships would all be constructed in Canada, if possible.

In July, 1910, advertisements appeared in the press announcing that the government intended to call for tenders for the construction of the ships. Consequently, firms desiring to tender were informed of the conditions of the contract and in February, 1911, those firms British and Canadian, who were willing to accept the terms of the contract, were invited to tender. These tenders have not yet been received as they are not due until May 1, 1911.

'NIOBE' AND ‘RAINBOW.’

Negotiations were opened with the Admiralty in the latter part of 1909, for the acquisition of two training ships. These were considered necessary in order to commence training the personnel for the ships of the government programme so as to have as many trained men as possible ready when the ships are completed,

The Admiralty had, at the Imperial Conference of 1909, recommended two ships of the Rainbow class for the purpose, and one was purchased for use on the Pacific coast, but it was felt that this would provide insufficient accommodation for recruits on the Atlantic coast; consequently after Parliament had approved of the proposal, Niobe was purchased.

These two ships are manned by nucleus crews, who are intended for the instruction of recruits, drawn from the Imperial Service, and lent by the Admiralty to the Canadian government, those on the active list for two years, reserve men and pensioners for three and five years, respectively.

In July, 1910, the Director of the Naval Service proceeded to England to attend the trials of these ships and take them over from the Imperial government. Certain alterations were found necessary in order to fit them as training ships; these being completed Rainbow commissioned on August 4, and sailed for Esquimalt on August 18, 1910, whilst Niobe commissioned on September 6, and sailed for Halifax on October 10, 1910.

Niobe was welcomed at Halifax on October 21, by the Minister of the Naval Service on behalf of the government, and Rainbow, at Esquimalt, by the Honourable Mr. Templeman on November 7.

The following are the principal details of the two ships :—

	"Niobe.”	“Rainbow.”
Length	435 feet	300 feet
Breadth	69 feet	43 1/2 feet
Draught	26 feet	17 1/2 feet
Displacement	11,000 tons.	3,600 tons
Horsepower	16,500.	9,681
Armament	16-6” Q.F	2-6” QF.
	12-12 pdr. Q.F.	8-6 pdr. Q.F.
	3-3 pdr. Q.F.	1-3 pdr. Q.F.
	2 — Maxims.	4 — Maxims
	2-12 pdr. Field guns.	2-12 pdr. Field guns
Torpedo Tubes	2 submerged.	2 above water
Coal storage	1000 tons.	400 tons
Speed	20.5 knots	19.7 knot.
Complement	700	273

DOCKYARDS.

Halifax Dockyard was taken over from the Imperial Authorities on January 1, 1906, and utilized, to a certain extent, by the Marine and Fisheries Department. It has now been reorganized, Commander E. H. Martin, R.N., having been appointed in charge and other necessary officers appointed to deal with the increased work.

Esquimalt Dockyard was taken over from the Imperial Authorities on November 9, 1910. It is not intended to re-open it at present to any large extent, but machinery is available for use when required by ships.

ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE,

As it was necessary to utilize some building as a temporary college until the proposed new building was ready, it was decided to convert the old Naval hospital in Halifax dockyard to the purpose.

Certain alterations were found necessary but these were completed by January 19, 1911, on which day the college opened. The building has accommodation for 45 cadets, and is divided into dormitories, studies, recreation and mess rooms, and there are also rooms for three Officers who are in charge of the cadets.

In the dockyard attached to the college are workshops for the instruction of cadets in machine work. A store house, originally intended for storing oil drums, has been converted into and makes a suitable gymnasium. Boats have been provided, both for the instruction of the cadets in handling and sailing them, and also for use during recreation hours. A small schooner has been purchased and will be attached to the college to enable short sailing trips to be made, for the instruction of the cadets in sailing. There are also a recreation ground and tennis courts in the Admiralty house grounds. A house in the dockyard has been fitted up as a sick quarters, where any cadet suffering from temporary indisposition can be accommodated.

The Commander in Charge of the dockyard has been appointed in Command of the college, and Mr. B.S. Hartley, R.N., Naval Instructor, has been appointed Director of Studies on the recommendation of the Admiralty.

The instructional staff consists of two Lieutenants and one Engineer Lieutenant from the Imperial Service, and three masters for Mathematics, Science and Languages, who were appointed on the recommendation of the Civil Service Commissioners.

NAVAL CADETS.

An examination for entrance to the Royal Naval College was held in November, 1910, by the Civil Service Commissioners. There were 30 vacancies, and 34 boys sat for examination, but only 21 were successful.

Candidates must be between 14 and 16 years of age, but in this, the first year, the limit was extended to 17 years of age, owing to the shortness of notice announcing that the examination would be held.

According to present arrangements there will be an entrance examination each year, which will be held in the early part of November, the successful candidates at this examination being required to join college about the middle of January following. The year is divided into two terms, with six weeks vacation at Christmas and mid- summer.

The instruction of the cadets at college is modelled as nearly as possible on the system adopted in the naval training establishments in England, the consequence being that the benefit of the result of years of experience is derived.

The course of instruction given assumes a thoroughly sound education, in nearly all subjects of modern requirements, the result being that a cadet who, through any mischance, does not ultimately adopt a sea life as his profession, is not, in any way, handicapped by having been at the college, but has benefitted (sic) by having received a really good education, and has also learnt the rudiments of discipline.

Each cadet spends two years at college at the expiration of which he has to pass an examination, from the results of which his seniority as a midshipman is awarded.

MEDICAL OFFICERS.

An examination was held in October, 1910, for three vacancies for Surgeons in the Medical Branch; the three successful candidates being appointed to Niobe, and Rainbow. It is not the intention of the government to institute a permanent medical corps, but qualified surgeons will be eligible, after examination, for a three years appointment which may be extended to five years, when they will withdraw with a gratuity.

MIDSHIPMEN.

Six Naval Cadets who had previously been borne in Canada for training, were transferred to Niobe on her arrival and given the rank of Midshipmen.

These young officers will undergo a period of training aboard the Niobe, at the expiration of which they will be required to pass for the rank of Lieutenant, and their seniority in the Service will be awarded from the results of this examination,

ENGINEER SUB-LIEUTENANT.

Three Engineer Cadets who had been through the four years course at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Keyham, England, and had passed the qualifying examination, have been admitted into the Naval Service and given the rank of Engineer Sub-Lieutenant. This course was considered advisable in order to train a number of Engineer Officers for the new ships, as, in all probability, the Imperial Service will be unable to lend a sufficient number of Engineer Officers for these ships owing to shortage of numbers. Three other Engineer Officers have been similarly entered.

RECRUITING.

At the beginning of February, posters were exhibited in all the principal towns of the Dominion calling for recruits for the Naval Service. Previous to this, recruits had been offering themselves on board Niobe and Rainbow and such as came up to the physical and educational standards were accepted.

The principal vacancies are for seamen and stokers, but there are also a small number of artisans, wireless operators, writers, &c., required.

Seamen are entered between the ages of 15 and 17 years and must agree to serve for seven years from the age of 18; a limited number of men are entered up to the age of 23.

Stokers are entered between the ages of 18 and 23, and they and all other ratings must agree to serve for seven years

All recruits must pass the physical and educational standard required.

The numbers of recruits received up to March 31, 1911, and the provinces from which they come are as follows:—

	“Niobe.”	“Rainbow.”	Total.
Nova Scotia	97		97
New Brunswick	3		3
Prince Edward Island	11		11
Quebec	28		28
Ontario	45	2	47
Manitoba	-	-	-
Saskatchewan	-	-	-
Alberta	-	1	1
British Columbia	1	35	36
Total	185	38	223

TRAINING OF RECRUITS.

Recruits for the Seaman Class, on joining, at once commence a two years’ course in seamanship, gunnery, torpedo, mechanical work and school subjects. This course is divided into three periods of six, nine and nine months, respectively.

At the end of each course The classes are examined and then re-classed; so that the dull boys shall not cause the bright boys to lag behind; the latter being in classes by themselves are thus able to undergo a considerably advanced course.

At the end of two years the boys are ready to be drafted to sea as Ordinary Seamen and shortly after are eligible for rating as Able Seamen. Able Seamen undergo further more advanced courses in gunnery and torpedo to enable them to qualify for seamen gunners, seamen torpedomen and gunlayers.

The recruits entering as stokers are first given a short course in drill, &c., to give them an insight into Naval discipline, after which they at once begin their training in the engine room and stokehold.

MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS.

Rainbow left Portsmouth, England, for Esquimalt on August 18, 1910; calling, en route at the following ports:— Las Palmas, St. Vincent, Rio de Janiero, Monte Video, Sandy Point, Coquimbo, Callao and Acpulco, arriving at Esquimalt on November 7.

Early in February she proceeded on a cruise on the west coast of Vancouver Island and on February 21, when off Cape Scott seized the United States schooner Edrie, of Seattle, for fishing within the three mile limit.

The schooner was turned over to the authorities at New Westminster, but the case has not yet been dealt with by the courts.

Rainbow proceeded on a similar cruise in March, upon which she is still engaged.

Niobe left Plymouth on October 10, 1910, arriving at Halifax October 21. It was not considered advisable to send her for a cruise during the winter months as it was desired that she should obtain her full complement of recruits first; also that her officers might be available to assist in the organization of Halifax Dockyard.

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
C. E. KINGSMILL.
Rear Admiral, Director of the Naval Service of Canada.