HMCS CATARAQUI

RCNVR Division Kingston

Kingston, Ontario

In response to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the RCNVR DIVISION KINGSTON was established on the site of the old Feed Mill. It was commissioned as HMCS CATARAQUI on 01 Nov 1941. HMCS CATARAQUI has occupied several sites in Kingston and moved into the current building at 24 Duty Drive in 1992.This location along the CATARAQUI River provides an ideal training facility for small boats and diving operations, including easy access to Lake Ontario. CATARAQUI was one of the few Naval Reserve Divisions to be assigned a Naval Air Squadron, when, in 1954, the VC 921 Squadron was formed under the command of Lieutenant-Commander (Pilot) Allan Burgham. The squadron paraded as a part of CATARAQUI and maintained a training base at the Kingston airport, where they flew Harvard aircraft until they were disbanded in 1959.

For more information on the history of HMCS CATARAQUI:   A brief history of HMCS CATARAQUI by Chris D. Varley, CD, HMCS Cataraqui Association

Explore Naval Historic Sites: Kingston

The Commodore's Coin - A CATARAQUI 2010 Naval Centennial Project