Carleton Martello Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carleton Martello Tower |
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| Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada | |
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Carleton Martello Tower
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| Coordinates | 45°15′08″N 66°04′34″W / 45.2521°N 66.0760°W |
| Type | Martello Tower |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1813 |
| In use | 1813-1944 |
| Materials | masonry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Official name: Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1930 |
The Carleton Martello Tower in Saint John, New Brunswick, is a historic fort. It is one of only nine Martello Towers still standing in Canada. This tower was built during the War of 1812. It played an important part in defending the city until the Second World War.
Today, you can visit the tower and explore its history. The site has a restored room where gunpowder was stored. There is also a restored barracks room where soldiers lived. Exhibits inside the tower and a visitor centre tell the story of the fort. From the tower's roof, you can enjoy amazing views of Saint John and its harbour. Carleton Martello Tower is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It has been a National Historic Site of Canada since 1930. The tower opened to the public in 1963.
Contents
History of the Tower
Building the Tower
Construction of the Carleton Martello Tower began in 1813. This was during the War of 1812 between British North America (now Canada) and the United States. The tower was built on a rocky cliff. Its main job was to guard the city from attacks by land. People worried about an invasion from the United States.
The tower was a round building made of stone. It was about 30 feet (9 metres) tall and 50 feet (15 metres) wide. It was designed to hold several large cannons. However, the tower was not finished until 1815, after the war had ended. So, the cannons were never installed at that time.
Protecting the City
Carleton Martello Tower was an important part of Saint John's defenses. It worked with two other forts. Fort Howe protected the river narrows. Fort Dufferin guarded the harbour entrance near Partridge Island. Together, these forts helped keep the city safe.
Changing Roles Over Time
Over the years, the tower was used for different purposes.
- Storing Gunpowder: In 1846, a special strong room was built inside the tower. This allowed it to be used as a place to store gunpowder from 1859 to 1866.
- Defending Against Raids: In 1866, two large cannons were placed on the tower. Soldiers from the New Brunswick Regiment of Garrison Artillery used these guns. They were ready to defend the city during the Fenian raids. These raids were attacks by Irish-American groups. The cannons were removed in 1877.
- Soldiers' Home: From 1866 to 1869, the tower served as a barracks. This means soldiers lived there.
- Detention Centre: During World War I, the tower had a short role. From November 1915 to April 1916, it was used to hold soldiers who had left their posts without permission.
World War II Operations
At the start of World War II in late 1939, the tower became active again. Machine guns were placed on its top level. In 1941, a two-story concrete building was added to the top. This turned the tower into a Fire Command Post. From here, soldiers could direct the firing of other guns.
The tower was used in this role until August 1944. Soldiers from the 3rd New Brunswick Coast Brigade operated the tower during this time. They used special equipment like telescopes and position finders to help aim the guns.
