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.
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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.
| 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 |
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| 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
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.
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Location: Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Maps & Images Lat: 48.431111 Long: -123.431667 |
Sources:
- Morgan, David, Forts of the Canadian West Coast - Victoria/Esquimalt Defenses, CDSG Journal, Volume 9, Issue 2, May 1995, page 16-24.
Links:
Visited: 4 Jun 2014
CFB Esquimalt Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |