McNabs Island
Encyclopedia
McNabs Island is the largest island
in Halifax Harbour
located in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
, Canada. It played a major role in defending Halifax Harbour and is now a provincial park. The island was first settled in 1780s by Peter McNab, and McNab family members lived on the island until 1934.http://www.mcnabsisland.ca/history/hist-s4.html
Peter McNab`s brother Captain John McNab, Nova Scotia Fencibles, lived with his daughter Catherine Susan Ann McNabb on McNab's Island. She married Joseph Howe
on February 2, 1828.
use and was surveyed by the French Navy as a possible site for a fortified seaport prior to the selection of Louisbourg. After the founding of Halifax in 1749, it was first known as Cornwallis Island. Halifax merchant Joshua Maugher used the long beach which still bears his name as a base for a fishing operation in the 1750s and '60s. The island was purchased by Peter McNab in the 1780s beginning a long settlement by generations of the McNab family on the island.
McNabs Island contains many forts belonging to the "Halifax Defence Complex" including Fort Ives, Fort Hugonins, Sherbrooke Tower, and Fort McNab. Important historic features on McNabs Island which are still visible include the foundations of several houses built by early settlers, an aboriginal shell midden, a cemetery containing some of the island's earliest residents, remains of a turn of the century picnic ground and soda pop factory, and remnants of a once extensive Victorian garden. Numerous military fortifications can be found, including Fort McNab National Historic Site, Fort Ives, Fort Hugonin and Strawberry Battery. Other features include the original McNab house, Martello Tower
, and the main burial site of cholera
victims from the S.S. England.
Maugher Beach, where a lighthouse stands, is also known as "Hangman's Beach" because of its use by the Royal Navy
during the Napoleonic wars
to hang the bodies of executed mutineers as a warning to crews of ships entering the harbour that this was a port where they had best behave themselves. The light at Maughers Beach was used in 1851 by Abraham Gesner to test out the new fuel he had invented, kerosene
, to replace whale oil
. Although lighthouse
officials were skeptical, the careful recording of the efficiency of kerosene by Maughers Beach keeper David George helped establish the fuel for standard use.
During World War II
new gun batteries, search lights and a steel anti-submarine net
were installed between the island and York Redoubt
to prevent German
U boats from entering the harbour. In 1944 and 1945 the Canadian Army used McNab's Island as an isolated prison/detention centre for soldiers convicted of crimes.
manages a Provincial Park. A group called "Friends of McNabs Island Society" a volunteer, non-profit, registered charity, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that is dedicated to the preservation of McNabs, Lawlor
and Devils Island
s, promote McNabs Island as a Nature Park and Outdoor Classroom. The Society hosts events on McNabs Island such as picnics, nature and historical tours, and annual beach clean-ups. The society produces maps and brochures, the popular guidebook Discover McNabs Island, island posters and quarterly newsletters. The society maintains the trails with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Parks Canada
. There are a few permanent residents living on the island and it is considered a community of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
located in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada. It played a major role in defending Halifax Harbour and is now a provincial park. The island was first settled in 1780s by Peter McNab, and McNab family members lived on the island until 1934.http://www.mcnabsisland.ca/history/hist-s4.html
Peter McNab`s brother Captain John McNab, Nova Scotia Fencibles, lived with his daughter Catherine Susan Ann McNabb on McNab's Island. She married Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
on February 2, 1828.
History
The island saw seasonal Mi'kmaq and AcadianAcadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
use and was surveyed by the French Navy as a possible site for a fortified seaport prior to the selection of Louisbourg. After the founding of Halifax in 1749, it was first known as Cornwallis Island. Halifax merchant Joshua Maugher used the long beach which still bears his name as a base for a fishing operation in the 1750s and '60s. The island was purchased by Peter McNab in the 1780s beginning a long settlement by generations of the McNab family on the island.
McNabs Island contains many forts belonging to the "Halifax Defence Complex" including Fort Ives, Fort Hugonins, Sherbrooke Tower, and Fort McNab. Important historic features on McNabs Island which are still visible include the foundations of several houses built by early settlers, an aboriginal shell midden, a cemetery containing some of the island's earliest residents, remains of a turn of the century picnic ground and soda pop factory, and remnants of a once extensive Victorian garden. Numerous military fortifications can be found, including Fort McNab National Historic Site, Fort Ives, Fort Hugonin and Strawberry Battery. Other features include the original McNab house, Martello Tower
Martello tower
Martello towers are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards....
, and the main burial site of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
victims from the S.S. England.
Maugher Beach, where a lighthouse stands, is also known as "Hangman's Beach" because of its use by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
to hang the bodies of executed mutineers as a warning to crews of ships entering the harbour that this was a port where they had best behave themselves. The light at Maughers Beach was used in 1851 by Abraham Gesner to test out the new fuel he had invented, kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
, to replace whale oil
Whale oil
Whale oil is the oil obtained from the blubber of various species of whales, particularly the three species of right whale and the bowhead whale prior to the modern era, as well as several other species of baleen whale...
. Although lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
officials were skeptical, the careful recording of the efficiency of kerosene by Maughers Beach keeper David George helped establish the fuel for standard use.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
new gun batteries, search lights and a steel anti-submarine net
Anti-submarine net
An anti-submarine net is a device placed across the mouth of a harbour or a strait for protection against submarines.-Examples of anti-submarine nets:*Lake Macquarie anti-submarine boom*Indicator net*Naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign...
were installed between the island and York Redoubt
York Redoubt
York Redoubt is a National Historic Site of Canada situated on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour at Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia, originally constructed in 1793. It was a key element in the defence of Halifax Harbour in the 19th and 20th centuries, and underwent many additions to...
to prevent German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
U boats from entering the harbour. In 1944 and 1945 the Canadian Army used McNab's Island as an isolated prison/detention centre for soldiers convicted of crimes.
Today
Today, of McNabs Island's total area of approximately 975 acres (394.6 ha), the Province owns 62 percent, the Federal Government 35 percent, and 3 percent is privately owned. Most Federal lands on McNabs are administered as park reserve by the Department of Heritage, under the responsibility of Parks Canada who manage the "Fort McNab National Historic Site of Canada". The Province of Nova ScotiaNova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
manages a Provincial Park. A group called "Friends of McNabs Island Society" a volunteer, non-profit, registered charity, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that is dedicated to the preservation of McNabs, Lawlor
Lawlor Island
Lawlor Island is a small island near the mouth of Halifax Harbour. Measuring approximately 55 hectares, it is located opposite MacCormacks Beach in Eastern Passage and McNabs Island in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia...
and Devils Island
Devils Island, Nova Scotia
Devils Island, Nova Scotia is located on the northeast entrance of Halifax Harbour off the coast of the Halifax Regional Municipality near the community of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. The name originated from an early French merchant and was first spelled Deville's Island...
s, promote McNabs Island as a Nature Park and Outdoor Classroom. The Society hosts events on McNabs Island such as picnics, nature and historical tours, and annual beach clean-ups. The society produces maps and brochures, the popular guidebook Discover McNabs Island, island posters and quarterly newsletters. The society maintains the trails with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
. There are a few permanent residents living on the island and it is considered a community of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Lightkeepers for Maugher Beach lighthouse
- 1830-1836 Bolser, J.
- 1840-1846 McGlinn, D.
- 1846-1873 George, David
- 1873-1896 Horn, E.
- 1896-1903 Doody, J.
- 1903-1915 Iceton, W.
- 1915-1936 Conrod, T.
- 1936-1940/1945-1947 MacDonald, J.A.
- 1940-1942 Hull, R.W.
- 1942-1945/1951-1958 Bell, J.J.
- 1948-1951 Hartley, G.R.
- 1958-1959 Lalonde, J.D.
- 1959 Stevens, A.J.
- 1959-1970 Rampton, E.F.
- 1970 Mitchell, L.G.
- 1970 Turner, M.B.
- 1970-1983 Lowe, H.G.
- Automated since 1983
Lightkeepers for McNabs Island lighthouse
- 1903-1905 Doody, J.
- 1905-1932 Lynch, M.
- 1932-1957 Cleveland, Colin W.
- 1957 Lumsden, B.J.
- 1957-1959 Eddy, W.
- Automated 1959-1973
- 1973 - replaced by skeleton tower
- 1976 - structure torn down