Connaught Battery

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Connaught Battery overlooking the entrance to the inner portion of Halifax Harbor Connaught Battery.jpg
Connaught Battery overlooking the entrance to the inner portion of Halifax Harbor

Connaught Battery is a World War I era harbour defence battery located north of York Redoubt at Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada. [1] It took its name from the then Governor General of Canada, the Duke of Connaught, [2] who was Queen Victoria's third son.

Contents

Construction

Built between 1912 and 1917 the battery was a part of Halifax Harbour's larger Defence Complex, which included other fortifications such as Fort George (Citadel Hill). [3] Connaught Battery was the only new structure built by the military after 1905, with a grand total area of 2.5 hectares and a floor space of 447 sq. metres. [4]

Since its inception Halifax Harbour has always had strategic and commercial importance, Beginning in the colony's early days it was a well-fortified location. During the Second World War its defences included three 4.7-inch quick-firing guns. [5]

Today

Today Connaught Battery is an abandoned complex, but open to the public to use as a municipal park. [6] The cement casemates of the fort remain in good condition.

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References

  1. Payette, Pete. "COAST ARTILLERY DEFENCES, HALIFAX HARBOUR". www.northamericanforts.com. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  2. "Guns Over Falkland". geocaching.com. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  3. Skaarup, Harold A. (2012-02-22). Shelldrake: Canadian Artillery Museums and Gun Monuments. ISBN   9781469750019.
  4. "Connaught Battery". Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  5. "Connaught Battery". www.uer.ca. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  6. "Connaught Battery Park survey is in". live.haligonia.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 3 October 2012.

44°36′18″N63°33′39″W / 44.60500°N 63.56083°W / 44.60500; -63.56083