CFS Bermuda
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Station Bermuda, commonly shortened to CFS Bermuda, was a Canadian Forces Station in Bermuda
that was operational from 1944 until 1992.
(RCN) established a temporary training base in Bermuda during the latter part of World War II
. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN operated from Convict's Bay, St. George's
, Bermuda
using a shore facility named , a former Royal Navy
base. HMCS Somers Isles closed in 1945 following the end of World War II.
The RCN departure from Bermuda was short lived as a result of the growing tensions of the Cold War
. Following the closure of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
in 1951, the RCN returned to Bermuda and was the sole operator of the former RN base on the island, creating a winter training installation. More than 30 RCN warships and 5,000 sailors trained in Bermuda during the 1950s.
In 1961 the RCN established a HFDF
receiver facility at Daniel's Head, Sandys Parish
on Somerset Island
with the facility going operational in 1963. The RCN also built a transmitter facility on North Ireland Island
, using a former Royal Navy wireless station that operated between 1939-49. Both the receiver and transmitter facilities were operated during the 1960s as Naval Radio Station Bermuda or NRS Bermuda.
From 1944 until 1968, the Bermuda installations would be the only RCN facility outside Canada. From 1968 to 1992 it was one of three CF locations outside Canada.
and the Canadian Army were merged to form the unified Canadian Forces
.
The following year in 1969 saw NRS Bermuda renamed to Canadian Forces Station Bermuda or CFS Bermuda and the facility came under the control of Communication Command.
CFS Bermuda underwent expansion during the 1970s and 1980s with additional buildings and structures. The end of the Cold War
saw the Government of Canada
announce the closure of all overseas Canadian Forces bases and stations; CFB Lahr
and CFB Baden-Soellingen
in West Germany
and CFS Bermuda were slated for closure and repatriation of units and personnel to Canada.
CFS Bermuda closed in 1992, much to the dismay of many CF personnel who enjoyed their posting to the location. Many buildings and structures were removed from the property and the lease was terminated with the Government of Bermuda.
The former base is now home to 9 Beaches Resort and Daniel's Head Beach Park, which opened in August 2000.
and others added by Canadian Forces
during their stay:
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
that was operational from 1944 until 1992.
NRS Bermuda
The Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
(RCN) established a temporary training base in Bermuda during the latter part of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN operated from Convict's Bay, St. George's
St. George's, Bermuda
St. George's , located on the island and within the parish of the same names, was the first permanent settlement on the islands of Bermuda, and is often described as the third successful English settlement in the Americas, after St. John's, Newfoundland, and Jamestown, Virginia. However, St...
, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
using a shore facility named , a former Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
base. HMCS Somers Isles closed in 1945 following the end of World War II.
The RCN departure from Bermuda was short lived as a result of the growing tensions of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Following the closure of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
HMD Bermuda was the principal base of the Royal Navy in the Western Atlantic between American independence and the Cold War. Bermuda had occupied a useful position astride the homeward leg taken by many European vessels from the New World since before its settlement by England in 1609...
in 1951, the RCN returned to Bermuda and was the sole operator of the former RN base on the island, creating a winter training installation. More than 30 RCN warships and 5,000 sailors trained in Bermuda during the 1950s.
In 1961 the RCN established a HFDF
Huff-Duff
High-frequency direction finding, usually known by its abbreviation HF/DF is the common name for a type of radio direction finding employed especially during the two World Wars....
receiver facility at Daniel's Head, Sandys Parish
Sandys Parish, Bermuda
Sandys Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for English aristocrat Sir Edwin Sandys , and hence there is no apostrophe in the name, which is pronounced "Sands"....
on Somerset Island
Somerset Island, Bermuda
Somerset Island is one of the main islands of the chain that makes up Bermuda. It lies in the far west of the territory, and covers 2.84 square kilometres. It comprises about half of the parish of Sandys, and is the largest of a chain of islands which extend along the northwestern coast of the...
with the facility going operational in 1963. The RCN also built a transmitter facility on North Ireland Island
Ireland Island, Bermuda
Ireland Island is the northwesternmost island in the chain which comprises Bermuda. It forms a long finger of land pointing northeastwards from the main island, the last link in a chain which also includes Boaz Island and Somerset Island. It lies within Sandys Parish, and forms the northwestern...
, using a former Royal Navy wireless station that operated between 1939-49. Both the receiver and transmitter facilities were operated during the 1960s as Naval Radio Station Bermuda or NRS Bermuda.
From 1944 until 1968, the Bermuda installations would be the only RCN facility outside Canada. From 1968 to 1992 it was one of three CF locations outside Canada.
CFS Bermuda
On February 1, 1968 the RCN, Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and the Canadian Army were merged to form the unified Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
.
The following year in 1969 saw NRS Bermuda renamed to Canadian Forces Station Bermuda or CFS Bermuda and the facility came under the control of Communication Command.
CFS Bermuda underwent expansion during the 1970s and 1980s with additional buildings and structures. The end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
saw the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
announce the closure of all overseas Canadian Forces bases and stations; CFB Lahr
CFB Lahr
Black Forest Airport is a privately owned and operated commercial airport located in Lahr, Germany. Formerly known as Canadian Forces Base Lahr, or CFB Lahr, the Canadian Forces Base was operated primarily as an air force base, and later as an army base, during the late 1960s. The military base...
and CFB Baden-Soellingen
CFB Baden-Soellingen
Canadian Forces Base Baden-Soellingen or CFB Baden-Soellingen was a Canadian Forces base located near the farming community of Söllingen, part of the municipality of Rheinmünster in the West German state of Baden-Württemberg...
in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
and CFS Bermuda were slated for closure and repatriation of units and personnel to Canada.
CFS Bermuda closed in 1992, much to the dismay of many CF personnel who enjoyed their posting to the location. Many buildings and structures were removed from the property and the lease was terminated with the Government of Bermuda.
The former base is now home to 9 Beaches Resort and Daniel's Head Beach Park, which opened in August 2000.
Ireland Island
- permanent DF antenna
- temporary mobile HFDF trailer and mobile auxiliary power unit
Daniel's Head on Somerset Island
Some of the buildings were left behind by the RNRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and others added by Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
during their stay:
- Operations/Stores Building
- Administration Building - converted from old Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
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