The station itself was suspended in 1905, and the facilities at Esquimalt, British Columbia passed to the Canadian Department of Marine and Fisheries. "Shearwater" and remained at Esquimalt, and in 1910 the Naval Service Bill was passed, creating the Royal Canadian Navy. "Shearwater" recommissioned, still as a Royal Navy vessel, at Esquimalt on 27 November 1912. At the onset of the First World War, "Algerine" and "Shearwater" were deployed as part of an international squadron off the coast of Mexico, protecting foreign interests during their civil war. Two German cruisers, and were reported on the west coast of North America on 4 August 1914 when news of the war broke. was ordered south to cover their withdrawal to Esquimalt, all ships arriving safely a week later.