Nova Scotia

Fortress Louisbourg

The Fortress of Louisbourg, located on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a significant historical site with a rich and complex history. The original settlement was founded in 1713 by French settlers from Terre-Neuve and was initially called Havre à l'Anglois. The French began constructing the fortress in 1719, and it was completed by the mid-1740s. Named after King Louis XIV of France, Louisbourg quickly grew into a major commercial port and one of the most extensive European fortifications in North America

Harbour House

We drove down the bumpy dirt road specifically to see this house. This would be a first for me. I've explored hundreds of abandoned buildings, but never one once owned by family. We reached the end of the road, and I saw the house, and the barn.

Windsor Caboose

After a quick bite to eat, we continued on to rail spur where a couple of rail cars stood neglected. The caboose, while apparently in good repair, had clearly suffered some damage, and from what I've read, it is unlikely to be resume service any time soon.

Fort Chebucto

A short-lived battery, Fort Chebucto was built in 1943, and decommissioned in the 1950's. Three 6" Mk24 guns were placed here with a range of just under 14 miles (almost 22.5 km) with the idea that, without this battery, and another at Devil's Point, a German battleship would be able to bombard the port of Halifax well out of reach of existing coastal artillery.

York Redoubt - York Shore Battery

Originally constructed in 1793, defenses have lined this bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour, and have played an important role throughout the 19th and 20th centuries before finally closing in 1956.

Point Pleasant Batteries

It was a sunny, warm day, and we drove into the parking area near the container pier beside Point Pleasant Park. Only a few moments in, and it was clear that this was a popular place as I watched people come and go, and an almost steady stream along the path. I got out, map in hand, and set out in search of three particular pieces of history, the Point Pleasant Battery, Fort Ogilvie, and the Cambridge Battery.

Connaught Battery

Built between 1912 and 1917, this battery was named after Queen Victoria's third son, and then Governor General of Canada, the Duke of Connaught. It was armed with three 4.7" quick-firing guns, two of which came from Fort Clarence, and the third from Fort Charlotte. They fired 12, 45-pound, projectiles per minute to an effective range of 8,000 yards.

Stubbert's Point Battery

Constructed in 1939, Stubbert's Point Battery was part of the rather formidable defense network for the protection of Sydney, Nova Scotia. The battery was originally equipped with two 6-pounder Hotchkiss guns, but was later equipped with a 6-pounder duplex quick-firing gun. In addition, three search lights were constructed here to help guard the anti-submarine net that stretched across the harbour.

Cranberry Point Battery

The Cranberry Point Battery was constructed in 1917 and consisted of two 4.7" quick-fire guns. An additional 4.7" gun was moved here from the Chapel Point Battery in May, 1917. The guns were removed after the war.

Chapel Point Battery

The use of this location for defending the port harbour of Sydney, Nova Scotia, began in 1862. The site featured a battery of six 32-pounder guns in an earthwork emplacement as well as two stone magazines and a blockhouse. It was short-lived, however, as it was all but abandoned by 1865, and the stone from its construction was taken away to form the foundation of a church being constructed in Sydney Mines. Erosion destroyed much of the earthworks, and little else would be done here until the beginning of the first World War.

Nova Scotia