About this Unit
Naval Station Argentia was a major United States Navy base established in 1941 near Argentia, Newfoundland, as part of the "Destroyers for Bases Agreement" with the United Kingdom during World War II. The base played a strategic role in the Battle of the Atlantic, serving as a vital convoy assembly and anti-submarine warfare center, as well as providing support for Allied naval and air operations. Argentia also hosted the historic 1941 Atlantic Conference between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which led to the Atlantic Charter. After serving throughout the Cold War as a key North Atlantic defense installation, the base was closed by the U.S. Navy in 1994 and returned to the Canadian government.
Historical Facts
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Strategic Location: Naval Station Argentia was established in Newfoundland, Canada, due to its vital position near the North Atlantic shipping lanes, making it crucial for Allied naval operations during World War II.
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Atlantic Charter Meeting: In August 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met secretly at Argentia aboard warships to draft the Atlantic Charter, outlining Allied goals for the post-war world.
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Destroyers for Bases Agreement: The base was created under the 1940 Destroyers for Bases Agreement, in which the United States received 99-year leases on British bases in exchange for 50 US Navy destroyers to aid Britain.
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Massive Construction: At its peak during WWII, over 15,000 workers were employed in constructing the base, transforming the remote area into a bustling city with its own infrastructure.
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Submarine Hunting: Argentia served as a key anti-submarine warfare hub, hosting aircraft and ships tasked with protecting Allied convoys from German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic.
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Weather Station: The base operated a critical weather station, providing forecasts for transatlantic flights and naval operations, and was vital for planning D-Day and other major operations.
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Cold War Role: After WWII, Argentia remained a significant US Navy base, playing a role in early warning systems against Soviet threats, including the SOSUS underwater surveillance network.
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Nuclear Capability: During the Cold War, Argentia occasionally hosted nuclear depth charges and anti-submarine weapons, though nuclear weapons were never permanently stationed there.
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Community Impact: The establishment of the base led to the resettlement of local communities; entire villages, including Argentia village, were relocated to accommodate the military installation.
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Closure and Legacy: Naval Station Argentia was officially closed in 1994, but its history is commemorated by local museums and memorials, and several original structures still stand as reminders of its important past.
