York Redoubt National Historic Site is a 200-year-old fortification on a high bluff overlooking the entrance to the Halifax Harbour, just 14 km / 8.7 mi from downtown Halifax. Established in 1793, it was a key element in the defence of Halifax Harbour during the second half of the 19th century. This National Historic Site is a unique heritage treasure featuring interpretive panels, tunnels, muzzle-loading guns, and a World War II Command Post. Visitors may stroll along the many walking trails, wander among the armament and fortifications and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Halifax Harbour.
York Redoubt was first fortified in 1793, when war broke out between Britain and France. General James Ogilvie, the British commander at Halifax, built a two-gun battery to defend the harbour entrance. The defences were improved by Prince Edward, fourth son of King George III, when he was the commander at Halifax from 1794 to 1800. By 1800, the site had an eight-gun battery and a round Martello Tower, with a signal mast intended to give early warning of an enemy attack. Edward named it York Redoubt in honour of his brother, the Duke of York.
By 1867, when Canada was born, technology was changing rapidly. Warships were now built of iron, rather than wood, and protected by thick armour which cannon balls could not penetrate. New guns firing heavier, pointed shells were built to pierce armour plate. York Redoubt was rebuilt and expanded to mount the new guns.
Six of these guns remain in place along the battlements of the old fort, still pointing out to the harbour they were placed there to protect. Of the six, five are 9-inch 12-ton Muzzleloading Rifles, while the sixth, gun number 2, is a 10-inch 18-ton Muzzleloading Rifle. Using 50 pound powder charges, they fired a 256 pound shell capable of piercing the armour of ships of the day. The six are in a north-south line, with rifle number 1 at the far right (south) end of the line and number 6 at the left (north) end of the line. This is gun number THREE, one of the nine inch rifles.
No. 3: No. 3. 9-inch 12-ton Mk III Muzzleloading Rifle (Serial No. 361), 1869, weight 12-13-3-0, (28,420 lbs), Queen Victoria cypher, mounted on an iron traversing carriage.
From Silver Hawk Author
Following is more information on the six rifles.
Artillery at York Redoubt
There are five 9-inch 12-ton Muzzleloading Rifles and one 10-inch 18-ton Muzzleloading Rifle mounted and well preserved in the coastal battery at York Redoubt National Historic Site near Halifax. The 9-inch guns fired a projectile of 256 pounds (116 kg.) at an effective range of 2,000 yards (1829 m.). Great guns such as these were installed in major Canadian forts from the 1860s. During the 1880s, the eight forts defending Halifax had thirty-eight 9-inch (22.8 cm.) guns as well as fifteen 10-inch (25.4 cm.), fifteen 7-inch (17.7 cm.) and nine 64-pounder (29 kg.) Muzzleloading Rifles set in place to defend the city against enemy warships. The mountings and the concrete ‘Moncrieff’ emplacement pit, named after its designer, were a refinement of the 1890s which allowed the gunners to fire the gun over a high parapet while being well protected from enemy fire. (Parks Canada)
The five 9-inch 12-ton Muzzleloading Rifles and one 10-inch 18-ton Muzzleloading Rifle mounted on the ramparts of York Redoubt are numbered from one to six, right to left, standing behind them facing [East].
From Silver Hawk Author