TRANSCRIPT

Once a recruit was accepted for naval service, they were signed up for Initial Training, which was conducted at the nearest Naval Division. This 6-week course was intended to help recruits adapt to military life and an authoritarian naval system. It consisted of such rudimentary skills as marching, marksmanship, and lessons in naval tradition.

While in its infancy, the Division did not have a "base" of its own. In fact, for the first three years, it shared quarters with the 1st Lake Superior Regiment at the Port Arthur Armoury. Upon the outbreak of hostilities, relocation became a necessity as the space allocated to the Division was less than one thousand square feet. The available space was put to use as Ship's Office and Naval Stores, and use of the Drill Deck one evening per week. The use of this space was given on the understanding that the militia's need for space in the future would find the navy looking for new quarters.