York Redoubt
Encyclopedia
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 its fortifications. It was a command centre for harbour defences in World War II
, which included observation posts, a defensive Minefield
and a new gun battery below the fort at Sleepy Cove covering the anti-submarine net
which stretched across the harbour's entrance from Fort McNab on McNabs Island
.
York Redoubt remained in military use until 1956. Buildings in the redoubt complex include what remains of the Duke of York's Martello tower
(1798) and fortifications circa 1800, with additional expansions circa 1900 and advanced fortifications and artillery from the Second World War. York Redoubt has many examples of the rifled muzzle loader cannon from the 1870s period. An open-air collection of unmounted cannon within the fort has several pieces of artillery of various periods, including a large 10-inch breech loader that had been mounted at the Sandwich Point battery, part of the York Redoubt complex,
The series of four gun emplacements was constructed during World War I
one kilometre away from the main fort at York Redoubt to protect the approaches to Halifax Harbour. During the Second World War the two dated 9.2 inch breach loading guns were removed, but the two 6 inch breach loaders were retained throughout the war. The battery is currently derelict and completely contained within Department of National Defence
fenced land and is strictly off limits to the public.
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...
at Ferguson's Cove
Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia
Ferguson's Cove is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia on the western shore of Halifax Harbour between Purcell's Cove and Herring Cove along Route 253. The first 3 digits of the postal code in the area are B3V.-History:...
, 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...
, originally constructed in 1793. It was a key element in the defence of 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...
in the 19th and 20th centuries, and underwent many additions to its fortifications. It was a command centre for harbour defences in 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...
, which included observation posts, a defensive Minefield
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
and a new gun battery below the fort at Sleepy Cove covering the 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...
which stretched across the harbour's entrance from Fort McNab on McNabs Island
McNabs Island
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...
.
York Redoubt remained in military use until 1956. Buildings in the redoubt complex include what remains of the Duke of York's 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....
(1798) and fortifications circa 1800, with additional expansions circa 1900 and advanced fortifications and artillery from the Second World War. York Redoubt has many examples of the rifled muzzle loader cannon from the 1870s period. An open-air collection of unmounted cannon within the fort has several pieces of artillery of various periods, including a large 10-inch breech loader that had been mounted at the Sandwich Point battery, part of the York Redoubt complex,
Sandwich Point Battery
Structures at the waters edge at Sleepy Cove battery (now closed to the public) include three search light batteries, two cement lookout towers and two gun emplacements which originally held two 12 pounder guns, but were later replaced with 6 pounder guns.The series of four gun emplacements was constructed during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
one kilometre away from the main fort at York Redoubt to protect the approaches to Halifax Harbour. During the Second World War the two dated 9.2 inch breach loading guns were removed, but the two 6 inch breach loaders were retained throughout the war. The battery is currently derelict and completely contained within Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
fenced land and is strictly off limits to the public.
External links