Esquimalt

ESQUIMALT  () , district municipality, pop 16,840 (2006), overlooks a natural harbour at the southern tip of VANCOUVER ISLAND adjacent to VICTORIA. Originally the territory of Coast Salish people (see SALISHAN FIRST NATIONS), it was visited in 1790 by Manuel QUIMPER, a Spanish naval officer who was exploring JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT. The name Esquimalt derives from a Salish word meaning "place of gradually shoaling water," a reference to the tidal flats at the head of the harbour. In 1843 HBC Chief Factor James DOUGLAS surveyed the area preparatory to establishing a trading post at Victoria; most of the site was used subsequently as farmland (see AGRICULTURE) by the PUGET'S SOUND AGRICULTURAL CO. The British navy used the harbour from 1846; in 1865 it created the Royal Naval Establishment to replace Valparaiso as the headquarters of its Pacific Squadron. Naval developments continued with the opening of a graving dock in 1887. Since 1910 the Royal Canadian Navy has maintained its principal west coast base and training establishments here. Civilian SHIPBUILDING has been important too; the Esquimalt Marine Rwy, founded in 1893, evolved into Versatile Pacific Shipyards. The ESQUIMALT & NANAIMO RWY began operation in 1888 and a garrison of soldiers has been based at the historic Work Point Barracks since 1887. Incorporated on 1 Sept 1912, the municipality is one of the major residential suburbs of the capital area.