HMCS Galiano
Encyclopedia
HMCS Galiano was a Canadian government fisheries patrol vessel pressed into service with the Royal Canadian Navy
in 1917. Galiano disappeared in a storm in October 1918, making her Canada
's only warship
lost during the First World War
.
, in 1913, Galiano was a steel-hulled, single-screw vessel fitted with a powerful search light, as well as electrical lighting for the whole ship, and was the sister ship of the CGS Malaspina
. Galiano was named after commander Dionisio Alcalá Galiano
of the Spanish navy, who had explored the Strait of Georgia
in 1792, and for whom Galiano Island
was named.
Galiano arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia
on 21 February 1914 to start her duties in the fisheries protection service as a patrol boat. Although not formally commissioned as naval vessels until 1917, Galiano and her sister ship Malaspina mixed civil duties with naval patrol and examination work, including minesweeping training and trials, for much of the war. Following Galianos transfer to the Royal Canadian Navy, she was commanded by Lieutenant Robert May Pope, RNCVR.
, British Columbia, on 30 October 1918, with the loss of all hands.
The Naval Memorial in Ross Bay Cemetery, Vancouver Island, British Columbia bears the names of 39 officers and men who were lost at sea. Of these, 36 were from , which sunk on 30 October 1918.
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
in 1917. Galiano disappeared in a storm in October 1918, making her Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's only warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
lost during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Origins and Military Service
Built by the Dublin Dockyard in Dublin, IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, in 1913, Galiano was a steel-hulled, single-screw vessel fitted with a powerful search light, as well as electrical lighting for the whole ship, and was the sister ship of the CGS Malaspina
HMCS Malaspina
HMCS Malaspina was a Canadian government fisheries patrol vessel pressed into service with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1917 and again in 1939 and which therefore saw service during the First World War and Second World War....
. Galiano was named after commander Dionisio Alcalá Galiano
Dionisio Alcalá Galiano
Dionisio Alcalá Galiano was a Spanish naval officer, cartographer, and explorer. He mapped various coastlines in Europe and the Americas with unprecedented accuracy, using new technology such as chronometers...
of the Spanish navy, who had explored the Strait of Georgia
Strait of Georgia
The Strait of Georgia or the Georgia Strait is a strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately long and varies in width from...
in 1792, and for whom Galiano Island
Galiano Island
Galiano Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Located on the west side of the Strait of Georgia, it is 27.5 km long, 6 km at its widest point, and 1.6 km across at its narrowest point and is separated...
was named.
Galiano arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia
Esquimalt, British Columbia
The Township of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the...
on 21 February 1914 to start her duties in the fisheries protection service as a patrol boat. Although not formally commissioned as naval vessels until 1917, Galiano and her sister ship Malaspina mixed civil duties with naval patrol and examination work, including minesweeping training and trials, for much of the war. Following Galianos transfer to the Royal Canadian Navy, she was commanded by Lieutenant Robert May Pope, RNCVR.
Loss
HMCS Galiano foundered during a storm in Barkley SoundBarkley Sound
Barkley Sound, also known historically as Barclay Sound, is south of Ucluelet and north of Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island and forms the entrance to the Alberni Inlet...
, British Columbia, on 30 October 1918, with the loss of all hands.
The Naval Memorial in Ross Bay Cemetery, Vancouver Island, British Columbia bears the names of 39 officers and men who were lost at sea. Of these, 36 were from , which sunk on 30 October 1918.