Perched on the south-eastern tip of Vancouver Island, Esquimalt was guarding the Pacific coast a decade before Canada was born. It has played a pivotal role in the history of the country ever since. Some of Canada's newest naval recruits start their basic training on the country's oldest commissioned ship, the Oriole. They get a taste of life before the mast and an introduction to the colourful history of the country's biggest naval base, Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.