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. this included construction of the outlying batteries along the shore around the bay as well as a submarine net. 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 s-laurent. on december 14, 1942, ottawa appointed the 3rd battalion of les fusiliers du s-laurent to hmcs "fort ramsay", which would grew to 34 officers and 291 men at the end of that year. construction continued until 1943 which saw around 2000 soldiers, airmen and sailors fortifying the bay.