HMCS Champlain was a Thornycroft S-class destroyer, formerly HMS Torbay built for the Royal Navy in 1917–19.

During the First World War, Royal Navy intelligence investigated German torpedo craft and found that they were more lightly armed than the designs the UK was building.

This meant that the design known as the Admiralty modified 'Trenchant' or "S" class would be smaller, faster and less expensive, ships which could be built quickly.

S-class destroyers were armed with three quick-firing (QF) 4-inch (102 mm)/45 calibre Mk IV guns in single mounts.

[6][7] Torbay, along with her sister Toreador, were loaned by the British Government to Canada in 1927 as temporary replacements for the two destroyers in service with the Royal Canadian Navy, Patrician and Patriot.

On 25 August 1928, the destroyer left Halifax for a goodwill tour of the east coast, returning 3 September.

Members of Champlain's crew responded to Stensby's distress signal and restored order before returning to their ship.

There, the four ships participated in the longest cruise that the Royal Canadian Navy had attempted to that point.

During the time in the Caribbean, the vessel took part in a week-long training session with the Royal Navy's Home Fleet.

[20] Canada intended to return the S-class destroyers to the United Kingdom as they were considered antiquated.

[21] Champlain was mentioned in the London Naval Treaty of 1930 as being set for disposal in 1936,[1] and was to be replaced by the newer St.

[21] During her service with the Royal Canadian Navy, Champlain's running cost was as low as $68,678 in 1928 and as high as $217,021 in 1931.