New Brunswick Forts

Canadian Forts

NEW BRUNSWICK

Last Update: 19/JULY/2008

NOTE: New Brunswick was once a part of the French colony of Acadia until 1763 (de facto 1755) when it became part of the British colony of Nova Scotia until separated in 1784.

Fort Madawaska
(1841 - 1855), Edmundston
A blockhouse constructed during the border crisis with the United States. It was destroyed by lightning in 1855.

Fort Listuguj
(unknown dates), Campbellton

Allyson Point Battery
(1768 - 1778), near Bathurst
An extensive commercial trading post and fishing establishment built by George Walker. Protected by a small gun battery. Destroyed by American privateers in July 1778. It was never rebuilt.

Miscou Trading Post
(1645 - unknown), Miscou Island
A French post.

Shippagan Trading Post
(1634 - 1662), Shippagan
A French post.

Lt. De Niverville's Fort
(1760 - 1761), unknown location
A seemingly forgotten French outpost that did not surrender to the British until the spring of 1761. Located somewhere in the Miramichi River valley.

Miramichi Fort
(Boishébert National Historic Site)
(1756 - 1760), Miramichi
A French fort located on Beaubears Island in the Miramichi River. It protected an Acadian refugee village at Wilson's Point, displaced from Nova Scotia, under the leadership of Captain Charles Deschamps de Boishébert. The village was abandoned in August 1758. The fort was destroyed by the British in June 1760. The island is accesible by private boat only (fee).

Fort Shediak
(1749 - 1751, 1755 ?), Shediac
A French fortified supply depot on Skull Island (then known as Indian Island). Also spelled Gediaque. A second depot (name ?) was built further inland at the head of tide on the Shediac River. Abandoned after Fort Gaspereau was built to replace it. Possibly also used in 1755 when the British advanced on Fort Beauséjour.

Fort Gaspéreau (National Historic Site)
(1751 - unknown), Port Elgin
Also spelled Gaspareaux. A 180-foot square palisaded fort with four timber blockhouse bastions, a guardhouse, powder magazine, barracks, and storehouse, used mainly as a protected warehouse and shipping station between Louisbourg, NS and Québec City, QC. The stabilized ruins (buried) and trace are well-preserved. Located northeast of the Acadian village of Baie Verte. Captured by the British in June 1755, and renamed Fort Monckton. A new blockhouse was built in 1756. The history of this fort is interpreted at the Monro Heritage Centre.

Fort Beauséjour (National Historic Site)
(1751 - 1835), Aulac
Built to counter the nearby British Fort Lawrence in Nova Scotia. The French had actually occupied and minimally fortified this position beginning in the fall of 1749. This was adjacent to the Acadian village of Butte à Charles. The British had attempted to fortify this position in May 1750, but found the French already entrenched. The fort proper was not built until the spring of 1751. This was a star-shaped earthen fort that was captured by the British in June 1755 and renamed Fort Cumberland. The French had built a triangular palisaded redoubt to the north at Pont à Buot (modern Point de Bute), protecting the bridge over the then fully tidal Missaguash River. The British seige camp at the base of Butte à Mirande (Mount Whatley) was protected by a gun battery (site of modern bridge). The fort played a key role in the deportation of the Acadians in 1756. Part of the British garrison was sent to occupy Boston, MA in 1768. The fort was attacked by local rebel sympathizers of the American Patriots in 1776, and was rebuilt and manned for the War of 1812. It was abandoned in 1835. The ruins have been restored. OUR PHOTOS

Fort Nashwaak
(1692 - 1698), Fredericton
A French post located on the north bank of the Nashwaak River at its mouth. Also spelled Naxouat. Also known as Fort St. Joseph, it was built by Acadian Governor Joseph Robinou de Villebon. Repelled a British attack in 1697.

Fredericton Military Compound
(1785 - 1869, 1883 - 1914), Fredericton
A former military post that still has the Officers' Quarters (1839, 1851), Soldiers' Barracks (1827), Officers' Square, Militia Arms Store (1832), and the restored Guardhouse (1828). The Officers' Quarters now house the York-Sunbury Historical Society Museum (admission fee). The Soldiers' Barracks has craft shops on the bottom level. The Militia Arms Store now houses the Fredericton Tourism offices. The present-day Justice Building (1929) is on the site of the old Military Hospital (1827 - 1875). British troops left in 1869. Fredericton INFO

Fort Hughes
(1781 - 1815), Oromocto
A reconstructed wooden blockhouse located at Sir Douglas Hazen Park. Originally built to protect the local masting operations, and as a relay station between Halifax, NS, and Québec City, QC. Regarrisoned in 1813, it was to be used as a place of refuge and defence if Saint John were to be captured.

Gagetown Blockhouse
(1761), Gagetown
A former fur trade post where ammunition and guns were stored. A private craft business is here now on Loomcroft Lane, facing Gagetown Creek.

Fort Jemseg
(1659 - 1674, 1690 - 1692), Jemseg
Originally built by British traders at the mouth of the Jemseg River. Also spelled Jemseck. French troops occupied the post in 1670. Briefly captured by Dutch privateers in 1674 and abandoned. Acadian Governor Joseph Robinou de Villebon temporarily moved the French military headquarters here from Port Royal, NS in 1690.

Worden's Ferry Battery and Blockhouse
(1813 - 1815), Kars
A blockhouse and three-gun earthwork battery, used as a place of refuge and defence if Saint John were captured.

Fort Nerepis
(unknown dates), Nerepis
A French supply fort on the Nerepis River that was rebuilt in 1749 over an earlier post. It seems to have been abandoned prior to 1755.

¤ Colonial Defences of Saint John

¤ Fort La Tour
(1632 - 1654), Saint John
A fortified trading post located on Portland Point. Officially known as Fort Ste. Marie, it was built by Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour. Attacked by Scots in 1632 under Andrew Forrester, this was the first recorded military action in present-day New Brunswick. Originally composed of only two or three wooden buildings surrounded by a palisade, it was enlarged in 1639 to a 36 meter square palisaded moated compound, with a large gatehouse on the western side, an L-shaped trading house on the northern side, and a stone bastion in the southwest corner with at least one gun covering the harbour. A bakery, blacksmith shop, chapel, and storerooms made up the eastern and southern sides. In 1645 the post was captured by Charles de Menou d'Aulnay, a rival French trader from Port Royal, NS, while La Tour was absent. La Tour's wife led its defence, but she eventually surrendered. All but one of its 47 defenders were executed while Madame La Tour was forced to watch. La Tour regained the post in 1650. The post was rebuilt, but attacked again by rival French forces under Emmanuel le Borgne (d'Aulnay's creditor) in 1654. It was then soon afterwards captured by the British under Robert Sedgewick in 1654. The British took control of the area from 1654 to 1667, but are not known to have militarily used any of the existing French forts. Archaeological excavations of the site were done in 1955-56 and 1963.

¤ Fort Frederick (National Historic Site)
(1758 - 1815), Saint John
Originally here on Carleton Point was Fort Charnissay (1645 - 1650), built by Charles de Menou d'Aulnay after capturing Fort La Tour. Rebuilt in 1672 by Martin d'Aprendestiguy, sieur de Martignon (who had married La Tour's daughter), and renamed Fort Martignon. Fort St. Jean was built by the French in 1698 near the present-day Harbour Bridge toll plaza. Possibly also known as Fort Villebon. It was destroyed in 1700 as untenable, and all supplies were moved to Port Royal, NS. The French rebuilt Fort St. Jean in 1749, renamed Fort Menagoueche, as a 62 meter square compound with three barracks (12x7 meters), a bakery, and a powder magazine. Also spelled Menacoche. In 1754 it was reported to have only 17 men and three guns. It was burned in June 1755 to prevent British capture.

The British built Fort Frederick in 1758 on almost the same trace as Fort Menagouche. It was armed with only 18 guns, out of 30 planned. In 1768 most of the garrison was sent to Boston, MA, leaving only five men as caretakers. The fort was attacked by American privateers in 1775, 1776, and 1777. The fort was later rebuilt in 1812 with a one-story blockhouse, magazine, and barracks for 20 men, surrounded by a square earthwork with two guns. Before the city was founded in 1785, the settlement here was known as Parrtown.

¤ Fort Howe (National Historic Site)
(1777 - 1819), Saint John
Originally a prefabricated blockhouse with four guns. Enlarged in 1778 with eight guns, a detached barracks for 150 men, and surrounded by a palisade and earthworks. A second blockhouse just west and to the rear was built in 1778. A stone powder magazine was built between 1794 and 1802, located at the base of the hill on which the fort stood. The fort, just by its very presence, repelled an American privateer raid in 1778 without firing a shot. The "Lookout" was in ruins by 1812, but the barracks were refurbished and became the military headquarters of the city during the War of 1812. The barracks burned in 1819, and most of the buildings were sold at auction in 1823. The magazine and a signal station remained in use. The site of the first blockhouse is marked by a stone cairn. The site of the second blockhouse is a reproduction.

In 1939 a two-gun 13-pounder AA battery was located here.

¤ Johnston's Battery and Blockhouse
(1811 - 1820's), Saint John
A two-gun earthwork battery with a wooden four-gun blockhouse, located at the rear of the town overlooking Courtenay Bay. Kept in good repair until it was abandoned. Site has been built over by development.

¤ Fort Drummond
(1812 - 1866), Saint John
Built on a hill 1300 meters from Fort Frederick, and 180 meters from the future site of the Carleton Tower, covering the Musquash Road. The two-gun blockhouse was identical to the Dorchester Blockhouse (see below). Ammunition was stored at the Fort Frederick magazine.

¤ Carleton Martello Tower (National Historic Site)
(1814 - 1870, 1941 - 1945), Saint John
A three-story masonry gun tower 15 meters in diameter, located about 180 meters from Fort Drummond. A magazine and storeroom were on the first floor. Three small guns were planned for the second floor through gun ports, and four guns were planned for the third floor embrasures. The tower was never initially armed due to lack of money. Two 32-pounder smoothbores were emplaced on the third story in 1866. Some of the adjacent garrison buildings have been restored, such as the 1866 barracks and the 1845 powder magazine. A concrete and steel Fire Command Post was constructed on top of the tower during World War II. Admission fee. OUR PHOTOS

¤ Lower Cove / Barrack Green
(1793 - 1945), Saint John
Built here in 1793 was Dorchester Battery (three guns) and Blockhouse (six meters square, one gun) on the southwestern tip, Mortar Battery (six-gun earthwork with hot shot furnace) about 200 meters west, Graveyard Battery (three guns) about 140 meters north of Mortar Battery, and Prince Edward Battery (five guns) about 400 meters from Graveyard Battery further into the harbour. Prince Edward Battery was reduced to two guns in 1815, but were put in storage in 1825. Graveyard Battery was increased to four guns in 1815. Dorchester Battery was reduced to two guns in 1815. East Battery (1), a four-gun earthwork, was built in 1813 about 800 meters east of Dorchester Battery. It was abandoned in 1815, but three unmounted guns still remained on site until 1821. The batteries were refurbished in 1866 with the addition of six 8-inch guns from Partridge Island and some 32-pounders from elsewhere.
Lower Cove became the military headquarters in 1819 after a fire at Fort Howe destroyed the barracks there. The compound, known as Barrack Green, included Officers' quarters, enlisted barracks, hospital, guardhouse, armoury, and storehouses. The last British troops left the city in 1870. A fire in 1877 destroyed the original barracks.

During World War II the Anti-Aircraft Command Post was located in the basement of the Barrack Green Armoury.

¤¤ COAST ARTILLERY DEFENCES, SAINT JOHN HARBOUR
Fortress Saint John

¤¤ Fort Dufferin
(1863 - 1890's, 1939 - 1946), Saint John
Originally named Negro Point Battery until 1873. It was a 10-gun earthwork with four magazines. Guns were not mounted until 1866. Five converted 32-pounder RML's were emplaced in 1877. The post later became a summer training camp for various Canadian militia units until the 1900's. No remains.

In 1939 four 4.7-inch guns and four 18-pounder field guns were temporarily emplaced here in sandbag revetments. One of the 18-pounders was soon moved to the Courtenay Bay Breakwater. In 1940 two of the 4.7-inch guns were transferred elsewhere in the country, and the remaining two 4.7-inch guns were moved to concrete mounts. In 1941 a new concrete battery (still exists) was built for a new 4.7-inch gun, replacing one of the older 4.7-inch guns in the temporary mount. Two searchlights were emplaced here in concrete shelters. In 1944 concrete mounts were built for two 12-pounder guns at the northeast tip of the post (still exists).

¤¤ Partridge Island
(1800 - 1956, intermittent), Saint John
Defences were planned here as early as 1791 but were never built. Built in 1800 were a six-gun earthwork and a signal tower. A blockhouse was built in 1812. A second blockhouse was built in 1813 adjacent to the lighthouse. The lighthouse was converted to a 60-man barracks in 1812, with a surrounding nine-gun earthwork battery. The lighthouse battery was never armed as the guns were lost prior to arrival. Six 8-inch guns and two 68-pounders were emplaced in 1860 in the old battery. The 8-inch guns were removed in 1866 to the Lower Cove batteries. The two 68-pounders were reconditioned in 1878. The island later became an immigration quarantine station.

In 1914 a temporary battery of four 4.7-inch field guns was emplaced. Concrete mounts were built in 1915, two on the southeast shore (still exist) and two on the south-central shore. In 1917 two additional 4.7-inch guns were emplaced in a concrete battery on the northeast shore, along with two searchlights. All six guns were removed in 1919.
In 1939 two 6-inch naval guns were emplaced on concrete mounts on the south shore, along with two searchlights. In 1941 the two guns were moved to a permanent three-gun concrete battery with underground magazines (still exists). One gun position was left vacant. Overhead concrete and steel protection for the battery was built in 1942. The cover for one gun position still exists. An old 18-pounder field gun was transferred from the Courtenay Bay Breakwater in 1942 to a position on the northwest shore. Three searchlights were emplaced in concrete shelters (still exist) on the south shore. A concrete Battery Observation Post was built in 1941 (still exists). A Port War Signal Station was built here in 1939. In 1944 one of the 6-inch guns was moved back to the 1939 mount, and two twin 4-inch naval guns were emplaced on the 1941 concrete battery, using the previously vacant position. In 1945 a concrete radar fire-control tower was built (still exists). The two 6-inch guns were dismantled in 1945. This remained the only active defense post after the war.

¤¤ Courtenay Bay Breakwater Battery
(1939 - 1946), Saint John
An 18-pounder field gun was temporarily emplaced here in 1939. In 1941 two searchlights were emplaced in concrete shelters. In 1942 a concrete magazine and gun platform were constructed, and a new 18-pounder quick-firing gun replaced the field gun, which was then transferred to Partridge Island. A concrete Battery Observation Post was built in 1944, resembling a lighthouse (still exists), which replaced a wooden tower (1942) which had burned down. In 1944 the 18-pounder gun was replaced by a twin 6-pounder automatic gun.

¤¤ Red Head Battery
(1864 - 1890's), Saint John
A six-gun earthwork with two magazines. Guns were not mounted until 1878 with four 32-pounder smoothbores. Still exists.

¤¤ Fort Mispec
(1940 - 1946), Mispec
Located at Mispec Point, originally planned for three 9.2-inch guns, but was never built. Three 7.5-inch naval guns were emplaced in 1940 on concrete mounts with steel shields, with three concrete magazines. Gun positions #2 and #3 still exist. Position #1 is now the site of the Irving Canaport. The entire site was camouflaged to resemble a fishing village. A Battery Observation Post was built in 1940 on the hill behind the point (still exists). A second Port War Signal Station was built nearby in 1939. A radar station was built in 1943.

¤¤ Sheldon Point Dummy Battery
(1940's), Saint John
A decoy battery from World War II.

¤¤ East End Barracks
(1940's), Saint John
From World War II.

¤¤ Camp Torryburn
(1860's - 1890's), Saint John
A training facility.

¤¤ ALSO: In 1943 a four-gun 3.7-inch AA battery was emplaced at Beaconsfield and another four-gun 3.7-inch AA battery was emplaced at Loch Lomond. Eight sites were emplaced with single 40mm Bofors AA guns.

¤¤¤ St. Andrews Harbour Defences

¤¤¤ St. Andrews Blockhouse (National Historic Site)
(1813 - 1867), St. Andrews
This is the only original standing blockhouse in the province. A three-gun earthwork battery, East Battery (2), surrounded the blockhouse. It was used until after the Fenian War. It was restored in 1967, and again after nearly being destroyed by fire in 1993. OUR PHOTOS

¤¤¤ Fort Tipperary
(1808 - 1815), St. Andrews
A star-shaped nine-gun earthwork located on Tomkin's Hill, with a blockhouse, stone magazine, and commissary. The earthworks were never completed.

¤¤¤ West Battery and Blockhouse
(1813 - unknown), St. Andrews
A blockhouse and two-gun battery on the western side of town.

¤¤¤ Joe's Point Blockhouse
(1813 - unknown), St. Andrews
A blockhouse and four-gun battery opposite Robbinston, ME to protect the ferry across the river.

St. Croix Settlement (International Historic Site)
(1604 - 1605), St. Croix Island ¤MAP 1¤ | ¤MAP 2¤
This island is on the international border in the St. Croix River. This was the first European settlement in Canada since the Vikings in 1000. Established by Pierre Dugua, sieur de Mons. The French settlers moved in the summer of 1605 to Port Royal, NS, upon the advice of the expedition's mapmaker, Samuel de Champlain, after several colonists perished of scurvy during the winter.

NEED MORE INFO: a British post at Grand Falls in 1790.