Shoal Tower: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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 Shoal Tower was supplemented by the [[Kingston Market Battery]] located on land just behind the tower. Directly across the harbor from Shoal Tower was [[Fort Frederick Tower]], a similarly armed tower also with three 32-pounder cannons on the top level. The [[Fort Frederick Tower]] was supplemented by the [[Fort Frederick (3)|Fort Frederick]] earthworks batteries. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 06:30, 1 August 2012
Shoal Tower (1847-1870) - A Martello tower defense established in 1847 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abandoned as a fortification circa 1870.
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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
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 Shoal Tower was supplemented by the Kingston Market Battery located on land just behind the tower. Directly across the harbor from Shoal Tower was Fort Frederick Tower, a similarly armed tower also with three 32-pounder cannons on the top level. The Fort Frederick Tower was supplemented by the Fort Frederick earthworks batteries.
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 |
Sources:
Links:
Visited: 29 Jul 2012
Shoal Tower Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |