CFS Bermuda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CFS Bermuda |
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| Bermuda | |
 CFS Bermuda
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| Coordinates | 32°18′21″N 64°52′45″W / 32.30583°N 64.87917°W |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Royal Canadian Navy |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1963 – 1992 |
Canadian Forces Station Bermuda, or CFS Bermuda, was a Canadian military base located in Bermuda. It was also known as Daniel's Head because of its location. This base was active from 1963 until 1992. Before the Canadians, the land at Daniel's Head was used by the local militia, the army, and the British Royal Navy. Canada had an earlier base in Bermuda during World War II, called HMCS Somers Isles.
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A Wartime Training Base
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) first set up a temporary training base in Bermuda during World War II. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN used a former Royal Navy base. This base was located at Convict's Bay in St. George's. They called their shore facility HMCS Somers Isles. After World War II ended in 1945, HMCS Somers Isles closed down.
Return During the Cold War
The RCN did not stay away from Bermuda for long. Tensions grew during the Cold War, a period of political and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Because of this, the RCN returned to Bermuda. In 1951, much of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda closed. The RCN took over part of this former British property. They created a place for winter training. During the 1950s, over 30 Canadian warships and 5,000 sailors trained in Bermuda.
The British Royal Navy had some land at Daniel's Head on Somerset Island. They had bought this land in 1809 and later in 1914 and 1915. It was used for a wireless telegraphy station. In 1961, the RCN set up a special radio receiver facility there. This facility used a system called HFDF, which helped locate enemy radio signals.
On January 1, 1963, Daniel's Head officially became a Royal Canadian Navy facility. The RCN also built a transmitter facility on Ireland Island North. This used an old Royal Navy wireless station. Both the receiver and transmitter stations were called Naval Radio Station Bermuda (NRS Bermuda) during the 1960s. From 1944 until 1968, these Bermuda bases were the only RCN facilities outside Canada.
CFS Bermuda: A Unified Force Base
Merging Military Branches
On February 1, 1968, a big change happened in Canada's military. The Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Army all joined together. They formed one unified military force called the Canadian Forces.
The next year, in 1969, NRS Bermuda was renamed. It became Canadian Forces Station Bermuda (CFS Bermuda). The base then came under the control of the Communication Command.
Expansion and Closure
CFS Bermuda grew during the 1970s and 1980s. More buildings and structures were added to the base. However, the end of the Cold War brought more changes. The Canadian government announced that it would close all its overseas military bases. This included CFS Bermuda, along with bases in West Germany.
CFS Bermuda closed in 1992. Many Canadian military members were sad to leave, as they enjoyed being stationed there. Most of the buildings were removed from the property. The lease with the Government of Bermuda ended. The remaining British and US naval bases in Bermuda also closed a few years later, in 1995.
Today, the land where CFS Bermuda once stood has been redeveloped. It is now home to the 9 Beaches resort and Daniel's Head Beach Park. These opened in August 2000.
What Was at the Base?
The base had different areas with various buildings and equipment. Some buildings were left by the British Royal Navy, and others were built by the Canadian Forces.
Ireland Island Facilities
- Permanent radio antenna for direction finding.
- Temporary mobile HFDF trailer and power unit.
Daniel's Head Facilities
- Operations and Stores Building
- Administration Building (once a Royal Navy building)
- Technical Workshop
- Stores Building
- Office-in-Charge Residence
- Barracks Block (where soldiers lived)
- Mess and Recreation Building (for eating and relaxing)
- Dormitory
- Tool Shed
- Transmitter Building
- Generator Building (with diesel generators)
- Inflammable Store (for storing flammable materials)
- Transmitters (powerful radio equipment)
- Canex building (a store for military personnel)
- Commanding Officer's official residence at "Mara Leah"
- CE workshop (for engineering work)
- Longtail Barracks
- Cycle Shelter
- Beach Canteen and Sailing Club boat house
- Senior Ranks Mess (for officers and senior non-commissioned officers)
- Junior Ranks Mess (for junior enlisted personnel)
- VIP Suite (for important visitors)
- Community Centre
