Report of the Department of the Naval Service for the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 1915

2 GEORGE V. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38 A. 1916

PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT
OTTAWA
PRINTED BY J. de L. TACHÉ, PRINTER TO THE KING’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY
1915

NAVAL SERVICE.

Ottawa, April 1, 1915
The Deputy Minister,
Department of the Naval Service,
Ottawa, Ont.

Sir, — I have the honour to report regarding the Naval Service for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1915.

The progress, both mental and physical of the cadets at the Royal Naval College at Halifax still proves most satisfactory.

An examination for the entry of cadets to the college was held in May, 1914, and eight candidates were entered. The officers of the college continue to report most favourably on the cadets, and the senior cadets and midshipmen who have been serving in ships of the Royal Navy and H.M.C.S. Niobe and other Canadian vessels since the outbreak of the war have also been most favourably reported upon and have proved themselves capable and efficient.

Four midshipmen: Messrs. Silver, Palmer, Hatheway and Cann, were unfortunately lost in H.M.S. Good Hope when that vessel was sunk in action.

With regard to the activities of the Naval Service Department in relation to the war, preparations having previously been made to meet all contingencies which could be foreseen, it was only necessary to carry out or expand these preparations when war appeared imminent.

At the time Rainbow had been commissioned for patrol duty in Behring Sea and was therefore ready for immediate service, whilst Niobe was laid up at Halifax with a care and maintenance crew on board, which ensured her being kept in such a condition as would enable her to be placed in commission at short notice:

On the declaration of war Niobe and Rainbow and the officers and men serving in them, were placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. Both these vessels since that time, have been employed upon continuous and arduous duties at sea.

Arrangements were immediately made to commission Niobe and to complete her crew to full sea-going requirements. This was done partly by the transfer of the Imperial officers and men of the sloops Algerine and Shearwater, which, owing to their small fighting value, had been ordered by the Admiralty to pay off at Esquimalt, and partly by the inclusion of one hundred Newfoundland naval reserve men; the remainder of the crew being recruited from men who had served in the British navy and were resident in the Dominion. A large number of these volunteered their services and as many as necessary were entered for service during the period of the war.

The Dominion Government shortly before the outbreak of war purchased two submarines which were building at Seattle for the Chilean government. The crews were recruited from officers and men in the Dominion, the government being fortunate in this respect in obtaining the services of two retired officers of the Royal navy who had previous experience in submarines. These vessels also were placed at the disposal of the Admiralty.

Permission was also obtained from the Admiralty to use the Shearwater as a depot ship for the submarines.

These three vessels have all been actively employed in the defence of the British Columbia coast.

Naval depots have been established at Halifax and Esquimalt, in the former place for the accommodation of supernumerary ratings awaiting draft, and in the latter for the training of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve officers and men.

A large number of other vessels are being used for various subsidiary duties.

The Ice-breaker Earl Grey, on her sale to the Russian Government, was transferred to this department to be sent to Archangel. A crew of naval ratings was provided and the vessel was successfully navigated to her destination, the voyage of 3,000 miles being completed in fourteen days.

On arrival at Archangel she was turned over to the Russian authorities. The crew returned by ordinary steamer.

Personnel. — Recruiting has been actively carried on to complete Niobe's crew as previously stated and to obtain the requisite crews for the other vessels employed on subsidiary duties, preference being given to men with previous naval experience.

The naval volunteers which were established just previous to the outbreak of war, developed largely in the West, where some three to four hundred officers and men are enrolled. Steps are now being taken to enroll volunteer officers and men for the Atlantic division to meet requirements of ships and establishments on the east coast.

These volunteers have done good service both ashore and afloat, a considerable number having served continuously in the Rainbow since the outbreak of hostilities, and for other purposes as requisite. Their training is being continuously carried on.

The department has acted as recruiting agent for the Admiralty. A large number of Imperial Service officers and men have been reached and arrangements made for their transportation from all parts of the Dominion to England.

The health of the officers and men of the Canadian Navy has continued to be satisfactory'.

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