Country Bermuda (UK) | ||
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Canadian Forces Station Bermuda, commonly shortened to CFS Bermuda and popularly known as Daniel's Head, was a Canadian Forces Station in Bermuda that was operational from 1963 until 1992. A previous base, HMCS Somers Isles had existed during the Second World War.
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NRS Bermuda
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) established a temporary training base in Bermuda during the latter part of World War II. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN operated from the former Royal Navy base at Convict's Bay, St. George's, using a shore facility named HMCS Somers Isles. 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. In 1951 most of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda was closed, leaving the South Yard to operate as a supply base, HMS Malabar, until it closed in 1995.
The RCN returned to Bermuda taking over part of the former RN property, creating a winter training installation. More than 30 RCN warships and 5,000 sailors trained in Bermuda during the 1950s.
A satellite of the Royal Naval Dockyard was a parcel of Admiralty land at Daniel's Head, on Somerset Island, part of which was purchased in 1809 and the rest in 1914 and 1915 for a Royal Naval Wireless Telegraphy station. In 1961 the RCN established a HFDF receiver facility at Daniel's Head, and on the 1st of January, 1963, Daniel's Head was transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Canadian Navy when the RCN facility became operational. 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 facilities outside Canada. From 1968 to 1992 it was one of three CF locations outside Canada.
CFS Bermuda
On February 1, 1968 the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force 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 remaining British and US naval bases in Bermuda closed in 1995).
The former base is now home to the 9 Beaches resort and Daniel's Head Beach Park, which opened in August 2000.
Ireland Island
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: