Fort Howe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Howe |
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Fort Howe
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| Location | Saint John, New Brunswick |
| Built | 1777 |
| Website | Fort Howe |
| Designated | 1914 |
Fort Howe is a historic British fort built in Saint John, New Brunswick. It was constructed in 1777 during the American Revolution. The fort was built to protect the city from attacks by American forces. It stood at the mouth of the Saint John River, where it meets the Bay of Fundy. Today, a replica of a blockhouse (a strong, small fort) stands near the original site.
When it was first built, Fort Howe had eight cannons and barracks for 100 soldiers. It also had two blockhouses and an outer wall made of bundles of sticks and sod. By 1778, the fort was stronger. It had a main blockhouse and barracks inside a palisade (a fence of strong wooden stakes). There was also an abatis (a barrier of sharpened trees). A third blockhouse was built on a nearby hill. The British Army named the fort after Sir William Howe. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America at that time. The fort helped watch over the river mouth. It also protected nearby communities from American privateers (armed ships) and raiding parties.
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History of Fort Howe
Fort Howe and the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, American forces tried to attack Nova Scotia. After the Battle of Fort Cumberland, they tried again with the Siege of Saint John (1777). About 90 Americans arrived at the Saint John River. They planned to set up a base and wait for more troops. The Americans captured some British prisoners. American privateers and Indigenous people also threatened settlers along the Saint John River.
In response, Major John Small led British forces to push back the Americans. On June 30, 1777, four British ships arrived. They carried soldiers from the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants). When the soldiers landed, the Americans went into the woods. The British followed and were ambushed. Twelve Americans and one British soldier were killed. The British defeated the American force near Fredericton.
Weeks later, on July 13, 1777, American privateers attacked Saint John again. The British soldiers fought them off. In August 1777, the Americans attacked successfully, taking many stolen goods. Because of these attacks, Major Gilfred Studholme arrived in Saint John in November 1777. He was ordered to fix Fort Frederick or build a new fort. Fort Frederick was too low and damaged. So, Studholme decided to build a new fort. His 50 men, with help from local people, started building Fort Howe.
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A large gun from the World War II era at Fort Howe.
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The hillside where Fort Howe stands.
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The Fort Howe blockhouse at sunset.
After the Treaty of Paris (1783) was signed in 1783, many Loyalists moved to the area. These were people who supported Britain during the American Revolution. They settled near Fort Howe because it offered protection. They founded the towns of Parrtown and Carleton. Fort Howe became the main military base for the lower Saint John River valley.
In 1784, the British government created the new colony of New Brunswick. This was done to meet the wishes of the Loyalists. Fort Howe's cannons were fired on November 21, 1784. This was a 17-gun salute to welcome the colony's first Governor, Thomas Carleton. In 1785, Parrtown and Carleton joined to form the city of Saint John. Fort Howe even served as the city's first jail. The fort's cannons were fired again in 1805 to celebrate Admiral Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Fort Howe and the War of 1812
During the Napoleonic Wars, new defenses were built to protect Saint John Harbour. Fort Howe became a key part of this system. It protected the narrow river entrance. The Carleton Martello Tower guarded the harbor from the west side. Fort Dufferin protected the harbor entrance near Partridge Island. Fort Howe's barracks also housed British soldiers and sailors. These troops took part in raids along the coast of what is now Maine. They also supported a blockhouse on the St. Croix River near St. Andrews.
Fort Howe's cannons were fired once more in 1815. This was to celebrate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. After the War of 1812, Fort Howe was used less and less. Newer forts, like the Martello Tower, were better at defending Saint John. Fort Howe and Fort Dufferin slowly fell apart over the next century. After Confederation in 1867, most British troops left the city. The harbor defenses were mostly abandoned.
Fort Howe in World War II
During the Second World War, Fort Howe saw its last military use. The Canadian 8th Anti-Aircraft Battery placed a large gun on the hill. This gun helped defend the coast. The Canadian Army also built a repair shop nearby. After the war, the last blockhouse and the repair shop were destroyed by fire. The site was mostly cleared.
Fort Howe: A National Historic Site
Fort Howe was the first historic site in Canada's national park system. It was named Fort Howe National Park on March 30, 1914. This was partly thanks to James B. Harkin, the first Commissioner of National Parks. The site was already owned by the government, which made the change easier. One reason for making it a park was to introduce the idea of national parks to people in Eastern Canada. However, managing a historic site was new for the Parks Branch. Their main goal was to create a city park for fun, not just to preserve history.
Over time, it was decided that Fort Howe was not as important as other historic sites. So, in 1930, the fort was given to the city of Saint John. It was no longer a national park. In 1966, Fort Howe was named a National Historic Site. This means it is recognized as an important place in Canadian history.
In 1967, for Canada's 100th birthday, a full-size replica of one of Fort Howe's blockhouses was built. This was done by a local group and the city. You can also see several original or replica cannons from the 1700s. There is even one of the anti-aircraft guns from the Second World War. The site is a popular spot for tourists and locals. It offers great views of the city and harbor from the hill-top park.
Fort Howe is connected with the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
