Cathcart Tower

Cathcart Tower (1848-1870) - A Martello tower defense established in 1848 on Cedar Island near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abandoned as a fortification circa 1870.

Cathcart Tower on Cedar Island

Cathcart 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

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. Visible from Fort Henry (3) and the ferry to Wolf Island.

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Location: On Cedar Island near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Maps & Images Lat: 44.225328 Long: -76.45419 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

Links:

• North American Forts - Kingston Harbor
• Wikipedia - Cathcart Tower

Visited: 29 Jul 2012

Cathcart Tower Picture Gallery

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