Featured archival displays

The sinking of HMCS Fraser

—a tribute to HMCS Fraser H48 from Esquimalt Municipal Archives

The HMCS Fraser H48 became the first Royal Canadian Navy vessel to sink during the Second World War. Esquimalt was HMCS Fraser’s home port.

On June 25, 1940, while returning from France, HMCS Fraser was accidentally stuck and sunk by the British cruiser HMS Calcutta in the Gironde Estuary, France. While many survived the tragedy, forty-seven crew members lost their lives. The ship and her crew were part of the Esquimalt naval community before sailing overseas, and many local families were affected by the loss. Among the survivors were three brothers of the De Costa family of Esquimalt: Edward, Wilfred, and Louis. This exhibition organized by Esquimalt Municipal Archives is enriched by archival photographs from the De Costa family collection, generously donated by the Edward L. De Costa, Alderman 1959-1974 (former Councillor of the Township of Esquimalt).

We honour HMCS Fraser after 86 years, her courageous crew, and all those whose lives were forever changed by her loss. We remember the sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Canada and the survivors who carried the memory of that tragic day throughout their lives. We also remember the families whose love and strength endured long after the war and who carried their stories forward for future generations.

Please note that these images are copyrighted materials of Esquimalt Municipal Archives. To use them, kindly, contact the archives for permission (archives@esquimalt.ca)

HMCS Fraser, CA AC002-014-002-132, ca. 1940? Esquimalt (B.C.). Town Clerk's Department Col. — HMCS Fraser, ca. 1940? Esquimalt (B.C.). Town Clerk's Department Col.

3. HMCS crew members at Town Plaza, Lima Peru, 1938, De Costa Family Col. — HMCS crew members at Town Plaza, Lima Peru, 1938, De Costa Family Col.

2. HMCS Fraser passing under construction of Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, BC. 1938, De Costa Family Col. — HMCS Fraser passing under construction of Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, BC. 1938, De Costa Family Col.

HMCS Fraser Survivors, 1950, De Costa Family Col.

Edward L. De Costa, 1938, De Costa Family Col.

Wilfred Herbert De Costa, 1948, De Costa Family Col.

Louis De Costa, 1938, De Costa Family Col.

List of sailors (partial) of HMCS Fraser, 1940, De Costa Family Col

Earth Day: Our Shared Connection with Nature

This online exhibition showcases a selection of archival photographs that reveal the strong bond between our community and the natural environment. Rivers, mountains, coastlines, forests, and neighbourhood scenes appear throughout these images, reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us and the shared moments Esquimalt residents have experienced with nature over time.

These photographs demonstrate how residents have explored, enjoyed, and coexisted with nature. walking along the waterways, gathering by the sea, and finding peace in the mountains and green spaces of our region. They reflect eco-friendly human interventions and many ways nature enriches our lives and strengthens our sense of place.

The landscapes preserved in these archives remind us that nature not only sustains us but also depends on our care and responsibility. Through these images from the past, we encourage our community to renew its commitment to protecting the natural world ensuring that the rivers, forests, mountains, and neighbourhoods we cherish today will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Group in wooded area, likely Goldstream Park , CA PR263-995-011-055, 1896 , Pooley Family Col.

archives-025-071-015 — Man sitting on log crossing stream, CA PR523-025-071-015, ca. 1925, Mark Campion Col.

Footpath along a Stream, CA PR523-025-071-024, ca. 1925, Mark Campion Col.

A couple sitting on the rocks near Fleming Beach in Esquimalt ca. 1925, Mark Campion Col.

People standing on rock ledge over Beaver Canyon on the Fraser River, BC., CA PR523-025-071-025, ca. 1925, Mark Campion Col

Group in Goldstream Park with bicycles , CA PR263-995-011-054 , 1896 ,Pooley Family Col.

Saxe Point forest, CA PR012-v989-020-018, ca. [194-] , James Findlay Col.

Blossoming cherry tree in gardens at "Lyndhurst" , CA PR263-995-011-079, ca. 1928 , Pooley Family Col.

Log bridge across the Gorge, CA PR164-v992-013-001, ca. 185-?, Mike Aitken Col.

Girl on bicycle on a pathway in Gorge Park, CA PR250-995-036-009, ca. 1905, Mike Aitken Col.

Gorge Park, CA PR250-995-036-005, ca. 1905, Mike Aitken Col.

Skinner's Cove in 1921, Site of new Dry Dock, CA PR012-996-015-028, 1921, James Findlay Col.

Massive Tree Stump, CA PR523-025-071-084, ca. 1910, Mark Campion Col.

Making Women Visible: Correcting Gender bias in Archival Photo Records

These photographs from our archives feature people whose names and stories have yet to be identified — especially women who have long remained unseen in the historical record.

We invite you to help us recognize them, reclaim their identities, and add their stories back into our shared history.

Every face tells a story, and every story matters.

If you ‘re familiar with any of these individuals, place, or any relevant information, please comment or share that information with archives (archives@esquimalt.ca). So, we can update our database and online collection to provide a more accurate picture.