CGS Kestrel[a] was employed as a Government of Canada Fisheries Protection vessel on the Pacific Coast.

Her design was influenced by the Curlew class of fisheries protection cruisers, but Kestrel's hull was built of wood.

The vessel had a tonnage of 311 gross register tons (GRT) and was powered by a compound steam engine driving one shaft creating 59 horsepower (44 kW) (nominal).

[3] Kestrel was constructed by Alfred Wallace shipyard in Vancouver, British Columbia with the yard number 14.

[4] Used by the Canadian government as a fisheries patrol vessel on the Pacific Coast of Canada and registered in Ottawa, Ontario, Kestrel was in service from 1903 to 1912.