She was built as CGS Cartier for service as a hydrographic survey ship by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, at Newcastle upon Tyne, between 1908 and 1910.

During World War I, CGS Cartier supported the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and was converted to an armed patrol and training vessel for junior officers.

The RCN provided the personnel, however the Dominion government paid them separately from the naval service's budget.

CGS Cartier returned to her former service as a hydrographic survey vessel which included work on the Atlantic coast.

By special dispensation of the Dominion Government, she was given the rare honour of being allowed to continue to fly her commissioning pennant that she received as HMCS Cartier.