CFB Esquimalt

CFB Esquimalt (1842-Present) - A Canadian Naval post established in 1842 near present day Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Became CFB Esquimalt on 1 Apr 1966 as a part of the consolidation of Canadian Armed Forces. Active Canadian Forces Base. Museum Square Marker in CFB Esquimalt Officer's Mess Museum Display Museum Square on CFB Esquimalt Cannons at Museum Square on CFB Esquimalt CFB Esquimalt History Part of the Harbor Defense of Victoria and Esquimalt Harbors. Began as a British Royal Navy anchorage in 1848 with the first buildings on the base constructed in 1855 during the Crimean War. Esquimalt became the headquarters of the Royal Navy’s Pacific Squadron and later one of twelve naval coaling stations. The Canadian government assumed control of Esquimalt in 1906 and it became the main Canadian West Coast naval base. Became CFB Esquimalt on 1 Apr 1966 as a part of the consolidation of Canadian Armed Forces. Active Canadian Forces Base. CFB Esquimalt Batteries (edit list) Battery Click on Battery links below No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes Signal Hill Battery 2 9.2" MK 10 MK 5 1899-1938 Guns to Albert Head Battery Duntze Head Battery 2 1 12-pounder QF 6-pounder (twin) QF 1893-1938 1939-1945 Black Rock Battery 2 2 12-pounder QF 12-pounder QF 1893-1940 1940-1956 Guns to Golf Hill Battery Golf Hill Battery 2 12-pounder QF MK 1 MK 1 1940-1945 Gun from Black Rock Battery Current Status Directions to Museum Active Canadian Forces Base near Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Houses the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum which is open to the public (photo id may be required to get on base if the gate is manned). The museum has two main collections with the largest being of naval activities., a smaller collection concerning army activities is housed in a separate building to the right of the main building. Unfortunately there is little mention of coastal defense activities in the army museum. Three historic coastal gun batteries are located on the operational side of the post and are not open to the public. {"selectable":false,"width":"500"} Location: Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Maps & Images Lat: 48.431111 Long: -123.431667 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Varies Harbor Defense of Victoria 2014 Research Trip 2014 Research Trip - Victoria Side Trip Sources: Morgan, David, Forts of the Canadian West Coast - Victoria/Esquimalt Defenses, CDSG Journal, Volume 9, Issue 2, May 1995, page 16-24. Links: North American Forts - CFB Esquimalt Naval Technology - CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Visited: 4 Jun 2014 CFB Esquimalt Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!