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Researching the
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
CONSTRUCTION
CHRONOLOGY FOR THE ROYAL BATTERY:
ACTUAL AND PROPOSED
1714 - PRESENT
BY
ERIC KRAUSE
SEPTEMBER, 1982
Report H B 16
Return (Table of Contents) /retour
1714 - 1734
ABBREVIATIONS:
Date | P | A | PA | Description of Activity | Comment | Reference |
1714 | P | "Pointe A faire une batteries proposer | 1714-1; 1714-6 | |||
PA | Perhaps no buildings in the vicinity | ditto | ||||
1716 | A | Three buildings in the vicinity | 1716-7; 1716, C11B, Vol. 1, folios 496 - 499 | |||
P | "Batterie avec un Fossé au tour d'ou le derriere sera deffendu par le logement qui sera percé meurtrieres pour deffendre le fossé et des Crenaux pour le Compagnie" | ditto | ||||
P | Detailed "Avant toise de ce que poura couter la batterie K dans le port qui bat les deux parties ou peuvent mouiller les vaisseaux | - Proposal for a battery much smaller than the later built Royal Battery | ditto | |||
1717 | P | Detailed "Arrangement pour les ouvrages de fortification que le conseil ordonné au Port de Louisbourg en 1717 | - Proposal for a small barbette battery much smaller than the later Royal Battery | 1717 Genie, MSS 125. | ||
1718 | P | "La Batterie de Canons au nord du port se sera avant la contrescarpe et le chemin couvert du Bastion, etant necessaire d'avoir dans le port une batterie en sureté" | - Proposal for a small barbette battery much smaller than the later Royal Battery | 10 June 1718, F3, Vol. 51, pp. 218-220; 1718-4. | ||
P | "Plan d'une batterie de canons au nord du port de Louisbourg, avec un profile par la ligne AB" | - Much smaller than the later Royal Battery | ditto | |||
1721 | P | work "cabins" | - Funds first allocated in 1721 for work on the Royal Battery | 20 June 1721, C11B, Vol. 4, folio 84. | ||
1722 | A | "Plan et Profils du Terrain Destiné pour la Batterie Royale Dans Le Port de Louisbourg" | - Three non-government buildings and cultivated property within the construction zone. No others near by. Pathways are apparent. Survey of the area completed in November. The plan indicates contours but no construction activity. | 1722-2 | ||
1723 | P | "Devis de la Grande Batterie" | - This is the proposed construction contract. Actual construction varied from the stated specifications. See the French transcription and English translation. | 8 August 1723, C11B, Vol. 6, folios 298 - 308v; 304v; 25 November 1723, C11B, Vol. 6, folios 164 - 167-167v; 14 December 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 146. | ||
A | Former hospital of the Brothers of Charité was situated on the same side as the proposed chapel | ditto | ||||
P | "Proposition Pour l'adjudication des travaux de la batterie Royale de Louisbourg" | - This is the proposed schedule of prices which the contractor could charge for materials and work on the Royal Battery. There would be material exceptions however. See French transcription and English translation. | ditto | |||
P | Kilns - lime kiln construction required- brick kiln to be constructed if required |
ditto | ||||
A | Hauling flat stone unloaded at the Royal Battery to where required | ditto | ||||
1723 - 1725 | A |
-
unload Port
Dauphin lime stone at the Royal Battery and hauled to kiln area
where burned
-
unload flat
stone at the Royal Battery - excavation and levelling of earth for the Royal Battery - excavation of earth and construction of a masonry (clay mortar) lime kiln |
14 December 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folios 145 - 147v; 1 November 1738, C11B, Vol. 20, folio 214. | |||
1724 | A |
- excavation nearly all completed - 300 barrels of slaked lime amassed - flatstone and rubblestone amassed - hauling flatstone unloaded at the Royal Battery to where required |
22 November 1724, C11B,
Vol. 7, folio 61; 14 December 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 146v; |
|||
P |
Charpente lodging for Engineer Boucher 1. 33 x 20 pieds wide 2. included the use of 4-5 pouces thick merisier planks |
- Propose to raise them in the spring |
22
November 1723, C11B, Vol. 6,
folio 184; 17 November
1724, C11B, Vol. 7,
folio 136v, [17241 C11B, Vol. 7, fol . 167. |
|||
A | Engineer completes the excavation for the faces and towers of the batteries | ditto | ||||
A |
November 10 toisé reveals the following work: 1. in earth 224 cubic toise 2. in rubblestone 100 toise |
[1724] C11B, Vol. 7, fol . 167 | ||||
1725 | A |
Ganet (chosen
as contractor in 1725) marché of 24 february |
- Unavailable. Ganet also referred to this marché for work on other than the Royal Battery. | 3 November1738, C11B,Vol. 20, folio 209v. | ||
A |
-
cuts placed in the surrounding hills to
the north for fill
- deposited fill over the marsh to form the chemin couvert and the glacis |
17 December1725, C11B,Vol. 7, folios 194-197v: 1725-4;1725-4a;16 December1725, C11B, Vol. 7,folio 328v | ||||
A | western section of contrescarpe elevated to six or seven pieds, above ground level in the ditch | - No masonry work on the eastern section | ditto | |||
A |
-
main building, towers and sea wall
founded
- drainage ditch placed in northern ditch, eastern - portion exiting beneath the chapel into a [collector], then through the sea wall and into the harbour - two temporary workmen's "cabins" to the east - three lime pits and water pump east of "cabins" - lime kiln on small peninsula south of "cabins" - ditch east of lime pits, to bring water |
ditto | ||||
1726 | P | flanks with two embrasures each | 1726-3; 1726-3a;1726-3b; 8 February 1740, C11B, Vol. 22, folio 27-27v; 1723-3; 16 December1725, C11B, Vol. 7, folio 334; 14 April, 1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folios 89-89v; 10 October1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folios 11v; 28 November, C11B, Vol. 8, folio 13; 11 November`1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folios 173-174; 120v; 1 December 1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folio 117; 120v-121; 172v. | |||
A |
- the sea
wall faces made from large irregular
rubblestone - elevate left and right faces up to embrasure firing step level |
ditto | ||||
A | begin work on embrasures in mid-August, traced by end of November | - Salient angle and flanks incomplete | ditto | |||
A | merlons raised to a height of 2 1/2 pieds | ditto | ||||
A | raise barracks on the 1725 foundations to a height sufficient to place joists (by Apri1) and ready to receive roof | - Central passageway walls incomplete | ditto | |||
A | complete masonry revetment of the western section of the ramparts | - Unknown whether revetment on the eastern section completed | ditto | |||
A |
-
completed lower vaults (powder magasins)
by April to the beginning of the upper
vaults of the towers by October
- complete eastern section of the contrescarpe |
ditto | ||||
P | continue glacis work | - Unlikely any work undertaken that year | ditto | |||
A |
- contractor has made his marché
for the wood for the platforms by November - November 7 storm (waves, wind and rain) sweeps over salient angle, left face,, left flank, entire right face - 3 cubic pieds of ditch wall revetment lost - 4-5 toises of circular contrescarpe knocked down - part of masonry lime kiln wrecked: 12 pieds long x 3 pieds wide x 12 pieds high - knocked down the left tower's provisional roof that had been protecting the masonry from the elements - circular contrescarp not yet closed off by the batardeau - storm also carried off a quantity of boards and sand |
ditto | ||||
P |
- lime kiln operators lodging in the area - stone cutters' lodgings made of boards, perhaps on the left face |
ditto | ||||
A | -
lack of cut stone prevented completion of the
embrasures - poor quality of bricks from Port Toulouse slowed down work progress - the so-called mine found in the excavations behind the Royal Battery from which he sent samples is only French chalk ("talc") and is useless. |
ditto | ||||
1726 - 1727 | A | -
one temporary lodging for the Engineers
1. 15 square
toise of board roofing - one temporary lodging for the masons and workers
1. 24 square toise of board
roofing - one temporary lodging for the stone cutters 1. 20 square toise of board roofing - one temporary lodging for the lime kiln operators and workers
1. 18 square toise of [board] roofing - three temporary lodgings for the soldiers who transport sand
1. 44 square toise of
[board] roofing - repairs and fitting out of the north shore Hospital as an officers and soldiers guardhouse
1. minor repairs to the fireplace |
2 November 1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folios 170-171; 14 December 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folios 133-134v. 145-147v; 3 November 1738, Vol. 20, folio 212. | |||
1727 | P | place cannons in the summer | 28 November 1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folio 13; Nd-28, 1727-5, ND-54; 1 December 1726, C11B, Vol. 8, folios 115v, 116v-117; 17 November 1727, C11B, Vol. 9, folio 60-61, 141v; 24 November 1727, C11B, Vol. 9, folio 96; 26 November 1727, Vol. 9, lio 31v, 150v; 27 June 1728, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 126v; 7 October 1727,Vol. 9, folios 127-132; 3 November 1738, C11B, Vol. 20, folio 209v; 14 December1736, C11B, Vol 18, folio 134v. | |||
A | three embrasures in both flanks | Ditto | ||||
P | Project de 3 Embrasures pour augmenter la deffence du fond du havre au Nord Est et placer deux mortiers" |
- Total of six
embrasures in the left flank
when the proposed three embrasures
are added to the existing
three - Three embrasures in the right flank |
ditto | |||
P |
-
"Plan de La Batterie Royalle dan
le port de
Louisbourg de 39 canon de 36 £ et de 2. mortiers" - to complete the battery in 1727 by finishing in this order
1. embrasures and platforms |
ditto | ||||
A | -
platforms of the
cannon battery and of the towers not completed
- towers elevated - glacis nearly completed or even completed by November - covered way nearly completed or even completed by November - embrasures nearly all raised, with three embrasures and breeches left open to bring in materials - lips of embrasures higher than ordinary naval gun-ports on the covered way - barracks partly roofed in slate by November - work oh entrance gate begins - magasin nearly finished - slate roof - by November - cut stone work remains to be done after the 1727 season - particularly cut stones for the embrasures |
ditto | ||||
A | Ganet Supplemental marché of 7 October 1727 | - Ganet also referred to this marché for under takings other than the Royal Battery | ditto | |||
A | -
Repairs to the winter collapse of three gable walls
of the barracks - masonry fresh - Repairs to the winter collapse of part of 5 chimneys of the barracks - masonry fresh |
|||||
1727 - 1728 | A | -
Repairs
to the angles of the embrasures
- Repairs to door jambs of the barracks - Repairs to window jambs of the barracks |
Winter damage |
14 December 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 134v. |
||
1728 | P |
- to complete embrasures 17 November - to complete the battery in its entirety by July 1727 |
17 November 1727, C11B, Vol. 9, folio 141v-142; 13 November 1728, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 132-133, 141; 26 November 1727, C11B, Vol. 9, folio 31v; 20 June 1728, B, Vol. 52, folio 589; 1727-5, ND-28, 27 June 1728, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 126v; 3 November 1728, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 51; 14 November 1728, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 102. | |||
A |
- Royal
Battery completed
- complete. all masonry work - complete towers and other platforms - roof slating - some work remains since no slate available - glacis perfected - covered way perfected: 8 pieds to the banquette - terreplain of covered way less than 9 pieds wide - some joinery work remaining - some rough casting remaining - excavations |
ditto | ||||
A |
- use of cut
white stone
- use of cut sand stone - pine and oak timber work - floorilng work - partition work - palisade work - pavé work |
ditto | ||||
A |
two flanks
added on the covered way: 1. with three embrasures in the right flank work |
- A letter suggests this was added in 1728, though it is possible the flanks were added in 1727. | ditto | |||
PA | 2. with three embrasures in the left flank | ditto | ditto | |||
A |
- barrack walls are crenellated - many stumps in the area - store 100 quintals of powder in the chapel which is the greatest distance away in case of fire - the powder magasins in the towers are not yet ready - still humid and still have their wooden arches |
ditto | ||||
1729 | A |
- Verrier
stock piles - materials for extending the left flank 30 or 40 feet
to make room for three additional embrasures and emplacements for
two mortars
- Lack of slate in the colony slows progress - Slate roofing completed for all lodgings - Some joinery work undertaken |
31 August 1729, C11B, Vol. 10, folio 241; 18 December 1729, C11B, Vol. 1V, folio 242v-243; 13 November 1728, Vol. 10, folio 133; 1727-5; 22 May 1729, B, Vol. 53, folio 602v. | |||
1730 - 1735 | PA | Reduit des suisses qui bat le Fond du haure par 7 pieces de canon et 4 mortiers | ND-86 | |||
1730 | A | joinery work completed | 2 December 1730, C11B, Vol. 11, folio 75; 3 November 1738, C11B, Vol. 20, folio 209v; 26 March 1730, C11B, Vol. 11, folio 80-81. | |||
A | Ganet Marché of 17 April, 1730 | Unavailable. Ganet also referred to this Marché for undertakings other than the Royal Battery | ditto | |||
P |
Estimation for extending the left retour
in order to establish two mortar platforms and 4 embrasures
1. 45 cubic toise of earth |
ditto | ||||
P |
"Partie de La Batterie Royalle ou on a representé
en couleur jaune le prolongement a
faire pendant lannde 1731 du retour qui donne dans
le fond du port pour y etablir 4 embrazures et 2 mortiers" |
- The proposed 4 embrasures added to the existing three embrasures, makes for 7 embrasures in total | 1730-4; 1730-7; 23 May 1731, C11B, Vol. 12, folio 103; 29 November 1731, C11B, Vol. 12, folio 104v; 3 December 1730, C11B, Vol. 11, folio 19. | |||
A |
Left flank - four additional embrasures
and
epaulement for three mortars
1.
excavations completed by 23 May |
- Left flank now has seven 29 embrasures | ditto | |||
P | Remove arch-supports from the vaults of the towers | - Not removed until 1734 | ditto | |||
P | Establish masons workshops for completing the new embrasures | ditto | ||||
1732 | A | -
55 glass panes
replacements in the commanders rooms
- panes glazed with glue and paper - the battery makes use of gargoyles - regular garrison beginning this year |
1 May 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 184v; H-F5, p. 78; 29 November 1731, C11B, Vol. 12, folio 104v. | |||
P | to place the "tableau de St. Jean" (altar piece) in the chapel | |||||
1733 | A |
- shovels used to clean platforms
- shovels used to clean rooms - 53 glass panes replaced - fireplace in the commanders room - oven floor repaired - new left flank ready to receive 7 cannons and 3 mortars |
1 May 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 186v-187; 22 October 1733, C11B, Vol. 14, folio 165; 19 October 1733, C11B, Vol. 14, folio 225v. | |||
1734 | A |
-
removed arch supports from the
towers
- towers not yet roofed, with the environment causing damage to its summits and platforms - brick stove with an iron door in the commander's room - oven makes use of two shovels - Description of the property set aside for the Royal Battery
1. 275 toise on the harbour side, running
North, North-East and South, South-West; |
- Removal proposed for 1731 | 25 April 1735, B, Vol. 63, folio 544; 1 May 1736, C11B, Vol. 18, folio 188v; 3 November 1734, C11B, Vol. 15, folio 21v. |