CFS Bermuda
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CFS Bermuda was a Canadian Forces station on Bermuda and before 1963 a Royal Canadian Navy station. It was the RCN's only base outside of Canada and the second station on the Atlantic. It was one of three overseas Canadian Forces base, the other two were in West Germany.
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[edit] History
The Royal Canadian Navy established a temporary training base here during the late part of World War II. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN was stationed at Convict's Bay, St. George's (as HMCS Somers Isles), an old RN base. With the end of World War II, the base closed in 1945.
The RCN departure from Bermuda was short lived. Following the closure of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda in 1951, the RCN returned to Bermuda and was the sole operator of the naval base on the island. More than 30 RCN ships and 5,000 men would training in Bermuda. In 1961 the Canadian government established a HFDF installation in Bermuda. The RCN acquired more land at Daniel's Head, Sandys Parish on Somerset Island in 1963 and built an intercontinental Naval Radio Station. A transmitter station was established on North Ireland Island, Bermuda, formerly a Royal Navy Wireless Station that operated between 1939-49. The two locations would result in the creation of a full military base in Bermuda.
In 1969 following the creation of the Canadian Forces, RCN NRS Bermuda becomes CFS Bermuda. From 1969 to the 1980s, CF would add more buildings and structures to their base here. However in 1992 the Canadian government decided to close the base within the year. All CF buildings and structures were removed from the base and lease terminated with the Bermuda government. The abandoned base is now home to Daniel's Head Village and Daniel's Head Beach Park, which opened in August 2000.
[edit] Facilities
[edit] Ireland Island
- permanent DF antenna
- temporary mobile HFDF trailer and mobile auxiliary power unit
[edit] Daniel's Head on Somerset Island
Some of the buildings were left behind by the RN and others added by Canadian Forces during their stay:
- Operations/Stores Building
- Administration Building - converted from old Royal Navy Operations Building
- Technical Workshop
- Stores Building
- Office-in-Charge Residence - c. 1940s
- Barracks Block
- Mess and Recreation Building
- Dormitory
- Tool Shed
- Transmitter Building
- Generator Building - Diesel
- Inflammable Store
- Transmitter
- 2 AN/FRT39D 10kW Single Sideband high frequency on Ireland Island
- Canex building
- Commanding Officer's official residence at "Mara Leah"
- CE workshop
- Longtail Barracks
- Cycle Shelter
- Beach Canteen and the Sailing Club boat house
- Senior Ranks Mess
- Junior Ranks Mess
- VIP Suite
- Community Centre
