Warspite Monument

The Warspite Monument was erected sometime between July 26, 1891 and the end of 1894. The four meter high Celtic cross, made of granite that is not native to Canada, is believed to have been made in England and shipped to Esquimalt. It was erected by parents of the four midshipmen from HMS Warspite who were believed to have drowned in a canoe accident off Albert Head. Their names are inscribed on the monument in order of their academic ranking from HMS Britannia, a training establishment at Dartmouth which they all attended prior to receiving their first appointment to a Royal Navy ship.

On July 5, 1891, HMS Warspite arrived in Esquimalt for repairs from war action in Chile and on July 9, 1891 half the crew were given leave. The four midshipmen set off in two canoes purchased from the locals by Honourable A. Alberic De Montmorency. When they failed to return on Friday, a steam launch was sent for them. One of the canoes was found floating bottom upwards off Beacon Hill by a fisherman. The second was found abandoned at Albert Head with a tin cup and a paddle tied under the seat, mast up, and sail hanging in the water. 

The monument is not accessible to the public, due to a change in the configuration of fencing and property lines.

MINE OWN WILL I BRING AGAIN
FROM THE DEEP OF THE SEA.
Ps 69.22.

TAKE YE HEED TO WATCHE AND PRAY
FOR YE KNOW NOT WHEN THE
TIME IS.
MARK 13.33.