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Krause House Info-Research Solutions (© 1996)
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House
Info-Research Solutions
Researching the
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
PALISADES & FENCES:
DIMENSIONS AND FINISHES
BY
ERIC KRAUSE
MARCH 12, 1985
(Fortress
of Louisbourg
Report H F 25 1985 01)
APPENDIX A
1970
6. 12 February 1970 - Dauphin Demi-Bastion (General)
- palisade to be similar to the previous design
- also based on the artifact found in the ditch near the King's Bastion
- ribbon
- placed on the palisade without having the palisade surface levelled
- fastened by the use of pegs
- blocking
- to be an additional palisade
7. 3 March 1970 - Dauphin Demi-Bastion
- "As-Found" palisade found in ditch had a horizontal peg hole not sloped as indicated on the design*sketch
- ribbon
- 1751-28 indicates a rectangular ribbon which would allow a peg to be installed horizontally
- rectangular ribbon with pegs for the K.Q. outerworks
- triangular ribbon with nails for the Dauphin
- other proposed details pertaining to ribbands were approved
8. 19 August 1970 - Courtyard - Block I
a) Ancien Magasin/Engineer's House Property
- so called "cornerposts" of a "repaired" piquet fence approximately 10 pieds intervals
- braces placed against these posts at an approximate angle of 60 to 65 degrees
- whole fence buried some 2 feet deep in a prepared trench
- upper and lower (interior and exterior) ribbon made from planks nailed to the piquets
- above ground height of this fence: 5' 7" following the occupational level grade
b) Bakery/Forge Yard
- so called "cornerposts" of a piquet fence should be 8-9 pouces square/round
- placed every 10 pieds (unless found otherwise in the excavations)
- braces for these posts placed at an approximate angle of 60-65 degrees
- whole fence buried in a prepared trench 2 feet deep
- instead of piquets, however, planks 1 1/2 to 2 pouces thick nailed to each side were to be used, producing a fence 1 pied thick
- height above ground: 6' 7" following the occupational level grade
9. 21 October 1970 - Courtyard: Block I
a) Quay Fence: Hangard D'Artillerie
- in principle, the design as shown on the attached sketch was accepted (based on five examples of historical evidence)
i) buried-depth of post varies from 1' 6" - 1' 0" (sic: 1' 6" to 2' 0" perhaps correct) to no posts due to rocks
ii) size of posts: 9" to 5" diameters
iii) height above ground: 8' 6"
iv) tops pointed: 8"
v) fir, pine, spruce with bark peeled off
vi) width of planks: 1' 0" - 4 1/2"
vii) length of planks: 7' 0" - 6' 0"
viii) thickness of planks: +/- 1 1/2"
ix) type of planks: fir, pine, spruce
x) ribbon: 3" thick, 8" wide
xi) braces placed at approximately 18' intervals
xii) braces set at 60 o angle
xiii) braces retained by 8 9/16" pegs
b) The South Bdy. Fence: Hangard D'Artillerie
In principle, the design on the attached sketch was accepted (based on two examples of historical evidence and on an "as-found" post with ribband).
v) fir, pine, spruce with bark peeled offi) buried depth of post varies-from 1' 7'"- 2' 0, with trench dug the entire length
ii) size of posts: 9" to 4" diameters
iii) height above ground: 5' 7" based on "as found" post (or 7' 7" as one example of historical evidence suggests)
iv) tops pointed: 7"
vi) ribbon: 2" thick, 8" wide (possibly based on "as-found" ribbon)
vii) braces placed at approximately 20' intervals
viii) braces at 60 o angle
ix) braces set 1' 6" into the ground
c) The West Bdy. Fence: Magasin General Property
i) if built, similar to South Bdy. fence except 8' 6" height
d) The East Bdy. Fence: Laundry/Stables Yard
In principle, the design on the attached sketch was accepted (based on three examples of historical evidence).
i) buried depth of posts varies from 1' 7" to 2' 0", with trench dug the entire length
ii) size of posts: 9" to 4" diameters, with squared posts at corners
iii) height above ground: 5' 7"
iv) tops pointed: 7"
v) fir, pine, spruce with bark peeled off
vi) ribbon: 2" thick, 7" wide
vii) braces placed at approximately 17' intervals
viii) braces at 60 o angle
ix) braces set 1' 6" into the ground
e) The West Bdy. Fence: Laundry/Stables Yard
In principle, the design on the attaches sketch was accepted (based on two examples of historical evidence).
i) buried depth of post varies from 1' 10" to 2' 1" with trench dug the entire length
ii) size of posts: 9" to 4" diameter
iii) height above ground: 6' 7" (max. due to latr. height)
iv) tops pointed: 7"
v) fir, pine, spruce with bark peeled off
vi) ribbon: 2" thick, 8" wide
vii) braces placed at approximately 20' intervals
viii) braces At 60 o angle
ix) braces set 1' 6" into the ground
10. 17 November 1970 - Dauphin Demi-Bastion Outer Defensive Works
- historical memos (See Section B of this memorandum)
- ribbon: triangular with diagonal dimensions of approximately ± 6 pouces
- ribbon: diagonal face set into a notch or slash on the palisade
- ribbon: could be produced from timber 4 x 4 or 4 x 5 pouces
- ribbon: hewn pine or spruce
- palisade slash or notch: will create a flat surface on the palisade on which the ribbon could be nailed
NOTE: Extensive Comments on Comment Sheet Regarding the Ribbons
11. 1 December 1970 - Queen's-King's Outer Defensive Works
- "As-Found" palisades located in the Queen's Place of Arms:
i) palisades had a notch 4 pouces wide, 1 pouce deep, approximately 2 pieds from pointed end
- probably ribbon:
- 4 pouces wide
- rectangular
- set 1 pouce into palisade
- ribbon thickness:
- 1751-28 shows a 2 pouce thick (4 pouce wide) surface mounted ribbon
- 1724, 1733, 1737 and 1751 specifications suggest 4 x 4 and 4 x 5 pouce ribbons
- team recommendation on ribbons:
i) width - 4 pouces
ii) thickness - 2 1/2 pouces (approximately)
iii) production band saw a 4 x 5 pouce hewn timber into two halves or use a piece 4 x 2 1/2 pouce (approx.) with sawing
iv) pegging - Yes
v) notches - squarely cut (some "as-founds" indicate that the notches were cut with a saw)
12. 8 December 1970 - Dauphin (Phase D)
a) Ribband Design
- King's Bastion Place of Arms ribbon design was too large and, unfortunately, was built even larger
- previous Dauphin ribband too large
- recommendation:
i) use a 4 x 4 pouce stock
ii) saw diagonally, producing the ± 6 pouce dimensions mentioned in the documents
iii) triangular ribband to be mounted in a slash made on the palisade
iv) nailed in place
- palisade slash: based on piquet artifact found in Block I courtyard
b) Continuous or Staggered Ribband
- 1751-28 sectional view suggests the ribbon was doubled (one above the other
- 1751-28 does not show a staggered ribband arrangement in the elevation below
- no decision was made