Shoal Tower

Shoal Tower (1846-1870) - A Martello tower defense established in 1846 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abandoned as a fortification in 1870.

Shoal Tower from the Land Side	Shoal Tower Marker
Shoal Tower from the Harbor

Shoal Tower History

Built as one of six Martello towers between 1846-1848 in Kingston Harbor during the height of the boundary dispute with the United States known as the "Oregon Crisis". The six towers are listed below:

The six Martello towers were (West to East):

• Murney Tower at the western edge of Kingston
• Shoal Tower in Kingston Harbor
• Fort Frederick Tower at Fort Frederick
• West Branch Tower at Fort Henry
• East Branch Tower at Fort Henry
• Cathcart Tower on Cedar Island

Shoal Tower Plan

Built in 1847 on a shoal in Kingston Harbor to protect the entrance to the Rideau Canal. Shoal Tower mounted three cannons on the upper level with vaulted quarters below and the magazine on the lowest floor.

The advent of rifled cannon during the U.S. Civil War made the masonry Martello towers obsolete and ineffective as defensive structures. The towers continued in use as barracks and for other support functions until the departure of British troops in 1870 after Canadian Confederation.

Current Status

Not open to the public but easily viewable from Kingston City Hall in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

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Location: Kingston Harbor, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Maps & Images Lat: 44.22878 Long: -76.47819 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

Links:

• North American Forts - Kingston Harbor
• Wikipedia - Shoal Tower
• Parks Canada - Shoal Tower

Visited: 29 Jul 2012

Shoal Tower Picture Gallery

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