| CFS Bermuda | |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Royal Canadian Navy |
| Location | |
  CFS Bermuda | |
| Coordinates | 32°18′21″N64°52′45″W / 32.30583°N 64.87917°W /32.30583; -64.87917 |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1963 (1963) – 1992 (1992) |
Canadian Forces Station Bermuda, commonly shortened toCFS Bermuda and popularly known asDaniel's Head (due to its location onDaniel's Head), was aCanadian Forces Station inBermuda that was operational from 1963 until 1992. Daniel's Head andDaniel's Island had previously been used by the militia, the regular army, and the Royal Navy. A previous Canadian base,HMCSSomers Isles, had existed during theSecond World War.
TheRoyal Canadian Navy (RCN) established a temporary training base in theImperial fortress colony ofBermuda (also called theSomers Isles) during the latter part ofWorld War II. From 1944 to 1945, the RCN operated a shore facility namedHMCS Somers Isles from the formerRoyal Navy base atConvict's Bay,St. George's (which had been transferred to theWar Office to be joined to the adjacentSt. George's Garrison after the Royal Navy had relocated to Bermuda's West End in the 19th Century). HMCSSomers 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 theCold War. In 1951 most of theRoyal 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 and creating a winter training installation. More than 30 RCN warships and 5,000 sailors trained in Bermuda during the 1950s.
A satellite of theRoyal Naval Dockyard was a parcel of Admiralty land at Daniel's Head, onSomerset Island, part of which was purchased in 1809 and the rest in 1914 and 1915 for a Royal NavalWireless Telegraphy station.[1] In 1961 the RCN established aHFDF receiver facility atDaniel's Head, and on 1 January 1963, Daniel's Head was transferred from theRoyal Navy to the Royal Canadian Navy when the RCN facility became operational. The RCN also built a transmitter facility onIreland Island North, using a former Royal Navy wireless station that operated between 1939 and 1949. Both the receiver and transmitter facilities were operated during the 1960s asNaval Radio Station Bermuda orNRS 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.
On 1 February 1968, theRoyal Canadian Navy,Royal Canadian Air Force and theCanadian Army were merged to form the unifiedCanadian Forces.
The following year in 1969 saw NRS Bermuda renamed to Canadian Forces Station Bermuda (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 theCold War saw theGovernment of Canada announce the closure of all overseas Canadian Forces bases and stations;CFB Lahr andCFB Baden-Soellingen inWest 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 the9 Beaches resort andDaniel's Head Beach Park, which opened in August 2000.
Some of the buildings were left behind by theRN and others added byCanadian Forces during their stay:
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