North American Task Force
Encyclopedia
The was an Imperial Japanese Navy
fleet. In accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
, the fleet defended the West Coast of Canada
as well as Allied
shipping in the Pacific during World War I.
for maritime defence. As the British and the Germans
entered a naval arms race; the British, concerned that the Germans would outproduce them, asked their Dominion government
s to contribute financially to the building of new ships at the 1909 Imperial Conference. This request imposed upon the Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier
became known as the ‘naval question’. Due to internal conflicts Laurier decided that, instead of giving money to the British Royal Navy, Canada would build its own Navy. A few ships were built or bought by the fledgling Canadian Navy
but the decision was unpopular in Canada and contributed to the downfall of the Laurier government.
In the years leading up to World War I, Japan increased its presence near the West coast of North America. In early 1914, Japanese cruiser
s sailed the Pacific coast of America and Canada with a significant number visiting Canada's west coast, including and which visited Vancouver in June 1914. The ships and Vice-Admiral Kuroi, his captains, staff and the cadets were given a reception by the provincial government. The band of the 88th Fusiliers played for the occasion.
, Imperial Japan
. Newspapers at the time claimed that if it was not for the Japanese Navy the German Imperial Navy would have "shelled Victoria and Vancouver to fragments." Also on British request, the Japanese navy sent one or two cruisers from Vladivostok to Vancouver to assist in the carrying of gold bullion.
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
fleet. In accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
Anglo-Japanese Alliance
The first was signed in London at what is now the Lansdowne Club, on January 30, 1902, by Lord Lansdowne and Hayashi Tadasu . A diplomatic milestone for its ending of Britain's splendid isolation, the alliance was renewed and extended in scope twice, in 1905 and 1911, before its demise in 1921...
, the fleet defended the West Coast of 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...
as well as Allied
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
shipping in the Pacific during World War I.
Background
As Canada emerged from the 19th century it still depended on the British Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
for maritime defence. As the British and the Germans
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
entered a naval arms race; the British, concerned that the Germans would outproduce them, asked their Dominion government
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
s to contribute financially to the building of new ships at the 1909 Imperial Conference. This request imposed upon the Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Wilfrid Laurier
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911....
became known as the ‘naval question’. Due to internal conflicts Laurier decided that, instead of giving money to the British Royal Navy, Canada would build its own Navy. A few ships were built or bought by the fledgling Canadian Navy
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...
but the decision was unpopular in Canada and contributed to the downfall of the Laurier government.
In the years leading up to World War I, Japan increased its presence near the West coast of North America. In early 1914, Japanese cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s sailed the Pacific coast of America and Canada with a significant number visiting Canada's west coast, including and which visited Vancouver in June 1914. The ships and Vice-Admiral Kuroi, his captains, staff and the cadets were given a reception by the provincial government. The band of the 88th Fusiliers played for the occasion.
First World War
When World War I broke out in 1914, Canada's outdated ships were tasked with defence of the Atlantic shipping lifeline to the UK. The Royal Navy decided to concentrate on the Atlantic theatre and tasked defending Canada's west coast to its allyAnglo-Japanese Alliance
The first was signed in London at what is now the Lansdowne Club, on January 30, 1902, by Lord Lansdowne and Hayashi Tadasu . A diplomatic milestone for its ending of Britain's splendid isolation, the alliance was renewed and extended in scope twice, in 1905 and 1911, before its demise in 1921...
, Imperial Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Newspapers at the time claimed that if it was not for the Japanese Navy the German Imperial Navy would have "shelled Victoria and Vancouver to fragments." Also on British request, the Japanese navy sent one or two cruisers from Vladivostok to Vancouver to assist in the carrying of gold bullion.
See also
- 1st Special Squadron1st Special Squadron (Japanese Navy)The 1st Special Squadron was an Imperial Japanese Navy fleet. In accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the fleet helped defend Australia and New Zealand as well as Allied shipping in the Pacific and Indian oceans during World War I.-Background:At the outbreak of war, the Royal Australian...
- Japanese fleet tasked with defending Australia and New Zealand.