Esquimalt operated as a Royal Naval Dockyard from 1842 and was subsequently designated as a coaling station.
The first fortifications built in 1878 as emergency batteries were;
Finlayson Point Battery
Two 64-pdr 71 cwt RML (Palliser)
Victoria Point
Two 64-pdr 71 cwt RML (Palliser)
Macaulay Point
Three 7-inch 6.5 ton RMLs
Brothers Island
Two 64-pdr 64 cwt RML
One 8-inch 64cwt RML
In 1887, as part of a review of the defence of Coaling Stations, approval was given for six 16-pdr RML and six machine guns as moveable armaments and the following coastal defence batteries:
Sangster Knoll Battery
Four 9-inch High Angle Fire, RML
Rod Hill Battery (1895)
Three 6-inch BL on HP disappearing mounts
Macaulay Point Battery (1897)
Three 6-inch BL on HP disappearing mounts
Victoria Point Battery
Two 64-pdr RML practice battery
Finlayson Point Battery
Two 64-pdr RML practice battery
Duntze Point Battery
Two 6-pdr QF for minefield defence