These two ships were built for the Canadian Allen Line in 1905 and taken into service by the Royal Navy as auxiliary cruisers. Like other ships of their kind, they are generally used for patrol and escort services, and their main task is the enforcement of the blockade against Germany in the entrance of the North Sea. With 19 knots top speed, HMS Victorian and her sister ship HMS Virginian are among the fastest auxiliary cruisers serving in the Entente navies.