The Y-building or "chicken farm" was a top secret listening post for the Canadian Naval Intelligence Branch in W.W. II. According to Bruce Brown (who as Aide to the Admiral visited the station during this period), the Americans had broken the Japanese code prior to the war. Information retrieved from Japanese transmissions at this and other similar stations was forwarded to Ottawa and Washington. Initially it was staffed with naval personnel (starting ca.1940). Wrens replaced the station staff in 1944, for the duration of the war. Only in 1964, due to National Security issues, was information about the Station made available to the public. It was located on what is now the campus of the University of Victoria.
From the description of Charles Vernon Smith fonds. [ca. 1943]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 688596213
