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REPORT 2001 - 08

THE CHIMNEY STACKS OF THE KING'S BASTION BARRACKS:

POSSIBLE CUT-STONE CAPS AND REMOVAL OF THE MID-SLOPE STACKS

OF THE GOVERNOR'S WING

(1713-1758)

ERIC KRAUSE

KRAUSE HOUSE INFO-RESEARCH SOLUTIONS

JANUARY 15, 2001

[The original, corrected formatted version of this report exists at: ../wpreport/200108.WPD ]

For the purposes of this study, the Barracks Complex consisted of three distinct modules: The Governor's Pavilion (South); the Intendant's Pavilion (North - the proposed but never occupied residence of the Commissaire-Ordonnateur), and the Main Barracks, the central structure which occupied the area between the two pavilions. Too often, the French interchangeably referred to the pavilions as being Left or Right to use the term here.

The following questions have arisen:

Does the historical record suggest a likely period for cut-stone chimney cap installations anywhere on the Main Barracks and two pavilions of the King's Bastion?

Had the two mid-slope, reconstructed chimneys next to the Governor's Pavilion, which sit directly in a weather-exposed, problem-prone location in the valley at the juncture between the roofs of the Governor's Pavilion and Main Barracks, been in fact re-positioned during the French period?

If re-positioned, were the original stacks corbelled over to the other chimneys within the attic, so that their fireplaces would still have operated; were they rebuilt above the roof at a more maintenance-free location; or what?

The decision making process for the partial reconstruction (1961-1982) of the Fortress of Louisbourg has depended as much on direct evidence as on interpretive conclusion, whether the material under examination within the historical record was history derived (written text or illustration), or archaeological. Within the written record, the King's Bastion Barracks Complex appeared prominently in a number of key documents - both written and illustrative - where, if something was not stated directly, it was then deduced. Of course, any such conclusion was then placed within the context of the entire historical record - be it history or archaeology - to see how it stood.

At Louisbourg, this examination generally ensued at meetings of Structural Design. Comprised not only of historians and archaeologists, but also of other experts as well, all equally tasked with testing the historical record against differing standards, this team either adopted, re-worked, or rejected proposals. Its goal - mindful always of historical accuracy, yet tempered by a practical reconstruction - was to issue a recommendation for managerial consideration.

Accordingly, this query concerning chimney stacks must still be submitted to this process. More inquires may arise, as they should. But ultimately, a decision on the questions will be taken, and hopefully, this report will have made a positive contribution to their resolution.

In several instances, this report identifies associated illustrations, either in the text or in the endnotes. According to usual practice, their reproduction is the responsibility of the Fortress of Louisbourg.

Finally, the report by Blaine Adams, The Construction and Occupation of the Barracks of the King's Bastion at Louisbourg (Fortress of Louisbourg, July, 1971)⁽¹⁾ should be read from cover to cover for a complete understanding of the structure of the Barracks Complex and how it functioned. Although this present report does not always agree with the findings of Adams, this result should not be surprising in that interpretation is involved. Where deemed relevant, extracts from the Adams report have been inserted into this document so that the reader may draw not only their own conclusions but also a better understanding of the chronology.

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