Fort Ramsay

Today the base property is operated as the Sandy Beach Terminal of the Port of Gaspé and is primarily used for industrial and commercial purposes.

Gaspé Bay was strategically located near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and was considered a very suitable place for harbouring merchant ships and allied warships, such as the British fleet in case Great Britain would be invaded.

Throughout the year many army, navy and air force bases were constructed along the St. Lawrence River between Gaspé and Montreal.

After the first sightings of German U-boats in the waters near Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in 1941, facilities at HMCS Fort Ramsay were augmented.

The base's inauguration ceremony was held on May 1, 1942, witnessed by a crew of thirteen officers and nearly sixty men from the 1st Battalion of Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent.

On December 14, 1942, Ottawa appointed the 3rd Battalion of Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent to HMCS Fort Ramsay, which would grow to 34 officers and 291 men at the end of that year.

By the end of 1944 the situation in Europe had evolved to the advantage of the allies and by October 1 of that year the first shore batteries at HMCS Fort Ramsay began to be dismantled.