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DAUPHIN BASTION

Preliminary Report

(1720 - 1745)

BY

MARGARET FORTIER

(Under the supervision of B. C. Bickerton)

January, 1966

(Fortress of Louisbourg Report H B 6)

NOTE:
Presently, the illustrations and graphs are not included here.
For these, please consult the original report in the archives of the Fortress of Louisbourg

CHAPTER 8

PASSAGE TO DAUPHIN BASTION

Since the wall which surrounded the passage into the Dauphin Bastion apparently continued undisturbed from the circular battery, it might seem best to discuss passage and battery together. However, since the functions of the two were separate and distinct, and since the problems connected with the recreating a picture of the passage are unique, it has been deemed best to treat it separately.

No mention of the passage appears in the documents. Unlike a typical bastion whose gorge would open onto the interior of the place, the Dauphin Bastion was closed by the circular battery. This battery came to an end some feet west of the left reentrant angle, the space constituting the only avenue of access to the interior of the Bastion.

The 1727 projection of the passage indicated that when leaving the interior of the Bastion one would make use of a ramp which began in front of the circular battery, turned at the end of same and continued alone the side of the battery and out through the passage. It is most likely that the ramp sloped downward from the interior. No covering over the passage is indicated. Outside of the passage, there is shown a wall which begins at the interior revetment of the rampart of the left face and continues to a point opposite the fourth embrasure from the end of the circular battery. The height of the wall cannot be determined. The presence of a pond to the north of the wall suggests that it may have been intended as a retaining wall, but it is possible that it was intended to shield the passage from exposure. In either case, this wall creates a definite path to the entrance of the Bastion. [108] (Plate 1)

The question of a slope in the passage is a puzzling one. No post-construction plan indicates a slope from the interior, though it is apparent that the terreplein of the Bastion was on a higher level than was the ground. outside. The exact difference cannot be determined, but a figure between 5 and 6 pieds would seem to come closest to reality.[109] This difference would have to be compensated for by a slope in the passage itself, or by a slope immediately outside the passage. There are, in fact, a few plans which do seem to suggest that the ground outside the passage sloped down toward the Gate. [110] If this last situation did prevail, the 5 or 6 pieds might be absorbed rather gradually. It would mean, of course, that the height of the battery above the fausse braye would not be constant. There is no concrete proof that this situation did or did not exist.

On the other hand, if the slope were in the passage itself, it would be absorbed over a distance of approximately 26 pieds (the width of the battery). The result would be a drop of one foot in every five pieds. While such a slope is entirely possible, it would certainly be worthy of note.

Most plans indicate that the passage was covered. Several views show the passage cut into a solid masonrv wall which runs from, the circular battery to the interior revetment of the left flank. The passage itself is surrounded by cut stone. [111] A 1728 view includes some kind of ornamentation above the entrance. [112] According to another view the top of  the entrance is even with the cordon. [113] This is contradicted by a third depiction, albeit less precise, which shows the passage with its cut stone surrounds lower than the cordon. [114] (Plates 2,3,5)

On most plans the covering of the passage to be as wide as the parapet of the battery. From that point, it is
uncovered, but is bordered on either side by masonry walls. Only three plans show the passage widening as it nears the interior. [115] All others indicate a uniform width over the passage's length.

The plans which pre-dated construction of the curtain are almost unanimous in representing a wall a few feet north of the passage. This wall is shown beginning at a smaller wall which extends northward from the east side of the passage. From there, it proceeds in a straight line for some distance and then,
according to most representations, turns suddenly toward the sea for a short distance. [116] No trace of this wall can be found following construction of the Dauphin-King's Curtain, indicating that it was never more than a project. (Plates 3,5)

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