Pride and Politics: The Birth of the Canadian Navy
by Matthew Noonan, Gr. 11, Baccalieu Collegiate,
Old Perlican, Newfoundland
Born into a country at a time when its people were not ready for it, the Canadian navy, or the Canadian Naval Service as it was originally called, was very nearly scrapped right out of the dock. The brain child of famous Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier, the idea of a Canadian navy was formerly brought into fruition on the 4th of April 1910 with the passing of the Naval Service Act.
A local naval force was something that had been implemented in Canadian waters for over two centuries. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, local forces and privateers operated out of Canadian ports. They provided an outlet for sailors with less imperialistic motives, and supplemented the protection of Britain’s Royal Navy since it was unable to provide adequate protection in the far flung stations of the empire.
The creation of a Canadian Naval service was a very politically charged idea. Following the withdrawal of the Royal Navy from its defensive stations in Canada in 1903, the Canadian government and the public were faced with a very real dilemma. Should Canadians contribute to assured British naval supremacy, hoping that in the event of war Britain would protect us? Or, should Canadians look to their own naval defenses? To a burgeoning nation like Canada, the issue was much larger; it would involve addressing Canada’s place in the empire, a position that many Canadians were unwilling to challenge.
By 1909, Britain was involved in a naval race with Germany. When the Admiralty requested that the Canadian Parliament, and subsequently the Canadian public, provide funds for the creation of Royal Navy battleships, the issue of naval protection was brought to the forefront. The compromise that was adopted by Laurier’s Liberal government was to create a Canadian fleet that could protect our waters, yet would be ready to join with the British fleet should the need arise.
The Admiralty proposed that Canada create its own fleet unit -- a group of warships consisting of a single dreadnought battlecruiser, three heavy cruisers (preferably Bristol class), six destroyers and three submarines. The idea of such a large force appalled Laurier. He was particularly apprehensive of the reaction of the French Canadian population that had no desire to further what they perceived as British imperialistic motives. The idea of the large battlecruiser was also unsatisfactory.
Modelling the navy after the classic Canadian land force, the militia, Laurier hoped naval development would be gradual, as experience was gained on smaller, more workable vessels. His plan was structured to tread in the political middle ground, therefore, being acceptable to both Liberal and Conservative politicians.
After passage of the Naval Service Act, the government purchased two older cruisers, one for each coast, from the Royal Navy. These ships, HMCS Rainbow for the west coast and HMCS Niobe for the east coast, would serve as the training ground for the new naval recruits. Even now smooth sailing was not assured as Canadians still struggled with the political debate. Should they follow Laurier’s Liberal government and continue on a path of Canadian naval development, or, take the path favoured by Robert Borden’s Conservative opposition and fund the Royal Navy with its assurance of naval dominance?
The majority of Canadians were of British descent, and of that majority, a large portion favoured imperialist doctrines. Whilst commitment to the empire did not decrease nationalist fervour for Canada, it did create the sense that Canadians should do their best to play a part in the empire as a whole. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), or “tin pot” navy as it was mockingly called, was seen as a farce and in no way assuaged Canadians of their duty to the empire. Whole hearted support of the Royal Navy, as opposed to Canada dabbling in her own naval defence was preferred.
French Canadians were also not appeased. To them, the development of a Canadian navy was irrevocably tied to British imperialism hence a loss of French Canadian culture and identity, thus their support of such a policy was not forthcoming because it only served to further the British cause.
The British Admiralty saw Canadian naval development as unnecessary. The fast, long range steel warships that Britain now maintained would be capable of intercepting and destroying all sizeable threats. This view held by some Canadians, coupled with the fear that naval development would decrease the likelihood of British assistance, worked against naval endeavours.
Hopes for the creation of the RCN were, however, not lost. There were many arguments for the establishment of a navy. In the event of conflict, Britain would act in its own interests before Canada’s, thus they could not be relied upon to come to Canada’s aid. A force was needed to protect Canadian fishing grounds from American poachers and to enforce the complex terms of the 1871 Treaty of Washington. Most important of all was the view supported by Laurier and a growing number of Canadian nationalists, that Canada should become more autonomous conducting its own foreign affairs with the navy as its instrument.
None of this mattered. In the election of 1911, just one year after the creation of the RCN, Prime Minister Laurier was defeated by Robert Borden and the Conservatives. Even though Borden had promised to repeal the act if elected, the destruction of the infant navy never happened. Under the opposing pressures of the Admiralty to retain the navy, and the public who had elected him on a promise to rid them of it, Borden did nothing. The naval budget was slashed from $3 million to $1.6 million. This drop in budget allowed the navy to continue its existence, but, annulled any prospect of further development.
The Royal Canadian Navy, born into uncertain times had been curtailed by political will and the public opinion of the era. Its future would be left in the hands of a few naval officers and politicians who would struggle to maintain the fledgling navy, as Canada drew ever closer to the fiery crucible of the First World War.