Fort Waldegrave, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Fort Waldegrave was a battery
or an emplacement for heavy guns in St.John’s
Newfoundland
, strategically overlooking the Narrows
and St John’s Harbour.
. The fort is located on the slopes of Signal Hill. It is located at , on the northern side of The Narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbour.
It was also used to back up another battery
, Fort Amherst
, on the opposite shore from Chain Rock , an outcrop of land, which is one of two rocks located on opposite sides of the Narrows: Chain Rock is on the battery side and Pancake Rock on the opposite. They are 174 meters apart. At nightfall , a large chain was stretched between the rocks by means of a capstan
to prevent enemy ships from entering the harbor. Chain Rock and Pancake Rock were used for this purpose as early as 1770.
Apart from a guardhouse at Fort Waldegrave, there were two cannon
, and a magazine capable of travelling.
The fortifications on the opposite side of the Narrows were named for Lieutenant Colonel William Amherst who successfully recaptured St. John's from French
forces in 1762. The Seven Years' War was fought from 1756–1763 where France and Britain fought for superiority in French North America.
In 1762, toward the end of the war, French forces attacked St. John's, Newfoundland. If successful, the expedition would have strengthened France's hand at the negotiating table. Though they took St. John's and raided nearby settlements, the French forces were eventually defeated by British troops at the Battle of Signal Hill
. This was the final battle of the war in North America, and it forced the French to surrender to the British under Amherst. The British government now controlled all of eastern North America.
, on July 8, 1916, Fort Waldegrave became important as the sole active defense site for St.John’s
and was known as “Fort”. A 12 pound muzzle and breech loading gun was mounted atop a gun carriage within a protective circular stone wall. This gun was lost and has now been replaced by a replica
built by local craftsmen.
The gun was from HMS Calypso
, a British
Royal Navy
training ship which during World War I
was stationed in St John’s
. In February 1916, the ship was renamed HMS Briton
. Royal Navy Reservists
from the ship who were each equipped with a .303 rifle , assisted the Legion of Frontiersmen
who were commanded by Lieutenant Edward W. Vere Holloway and Sergeant Joseph Russell.
A small barracks and mess hall with office facilities were also located nearby along with two powder magazines. They were surrounded by a stone wall with gates. However, during World War I the Fort saw no action.
In 1920 the barrack building was sold and became a dance hall. The wall and other buildings were dismantled and used to repair the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Anglican Cathedral as well as home foundations, during the 1940s. The circular stone wall around the gun remains in place from WWI.
During World War I the chain was replaced with anti-submarine nets
The Chain Rock was once again used to attach a large chain and anti-submarine boom connecting to Fort Amherst above Pancake Rock, so as to prevent the entry of German U-boats into the harbour.
is also the name that describes a small neighbourhood within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
where Fort Waldegrave was located. In the 1920s a a large stone building was built near the foot of the headland and was initially used as a hotel, the Hotel Newfoundland. In the Lower Battery area where US Army Dock Road is now located, there were at one time, railway tracks.
, is a network of walkways that covers the metropolitan area of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Capital, St. John's, as well as its neighbouring communities of Mount Pearl and Paradise. It is 125 km long and links rivers, lakes and ponds, parks and green spaces, and historical sites such as Fort Waldegrave. This fort can be found by following the walkway indicated on the website named "Concourse Harbourside Walk East". The Authority also sets up informational boards at various points of interest on the walkways.
The Battery, St. John's
The Battery is a small neighbourhood within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.The Battery sits on the entrance to the harbour located on the slopes of Signal Hill. Sometimes described as an outport within the city of St. John's. The area is noted for its steep slopes, colourful...
or an emplacement for heavy guns in St.John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, strategically overlooking the Narrows
The Narrows, St. John's
The Narrows, the only entrance to St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland, is a narrow channel between the Southside and Signal hills. It has a least depth of 11 metres and at its narrowest point near Chain Rock is 61 metres wide....
and St John’s Harbour.
Original purpose
It was originally constructed in 1798 where Old North Castle had first been located and was used as a support battery for Chain Rock. It was named after Governor WaldegraveWilliam Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock
William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock GCB was the Governor of Newfoundland and an Admiral in the Royal Navy.Waldegrave was the second son of John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave and Elizabeth...
. The fort is located on the slopes of Signal Hill. It is located at , on the northern side of The Narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbour.
It was also used to back up another battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
, Fort Amherst
Fort Amherst, St. John's
Fort Amherst is a small community within St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located at , on the southern side of The Narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbour...
, on the opposite shore from Chain Rock , an outcrop of land, which is one of two rocks located on opposite sides of the Narrows: Chain Rock is on the battery side and Pancake Rock on the opposite. They are 174 meters apart. At nightfall , a large chain was stretched between the rocks by means of a capstan
Capstan (nautical)
A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to apply force to ropes, cables, and hawsers. The principle is similar to that of the windlass, which has a horizontal axle.- History :...
to prevent enemy ships from entering the harbor. Chain Rock and Pancake Rock were used for this purpose as early as 1770.
Apart from a guardhouse at Fort Waldegrave, there were two cannon
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
, and a magazine capable of travelling.
The fortifications on the opposite side of the Narrows were named for Lieutenant Colonel William Amherst who successfully recaptured St. John's from French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
forces in 1762. The Seven Years' War was fought from 1756–1763 where France and Britain fought for superiority in French North America.
In 1762, toward the end of the war, French forces attacked St. John's, Newfoundland. If successful, the expedition would have strengthened France's hand at the negotiating table. Though they took St. John's and raided nearby settlements, the French forces were eventually defeated by British troops at the Battle of Signal Hill
Battle of Signal Hill
The Battle of Signal Hill was a small skirmish, the last of the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War. The British under Lieutenant Colonel William Amherst forced the French to surrender St...
. This was the final battle of the war in North America, and it forced the French to surrender to the British under Amherst. The British government now controlled all of eastern North America.
Use of Fort in World War I
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, on July 8, 1916, Fort Waldegrave became important as the sole active defense site for St.John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
and was known as “Fort”. A 12 pound muzzle and breech loading gun was mounted atop a gun carriage within a protective circular stone wall. This gun was lost and has now been replaced by a replica
Replica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
built by local craftsmen.
The gun was from HMS Calypso
HMS Calypso
The following ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name of HMS Calypso, after Calypso, a sea nymph in Greek mythology:*HMS Calypso , a 16-gun sloop of 342 tons burthen bm, launched at Graves, Deptford 27 September 1783...
, a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
training ship which during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
was stationed in St John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. In February 1916, the ship was renamed HMS Briton
HMS Briton
The following ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Briton:*HMS Briton , a fifth rate 38 launched at Chatham 11 April 1812, convict ship 1841, target February 1850, and broken up September 1860. 1060 burthen....
. Royal Navy Reservists
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve was a naval reserve force of the Royal Canadian Navy, which replaced the Royal Navy Canadian Volunteer Reserve .-Foundation:...
from the ship who were each equipped with a .303 rifle , assisted the Legion of Frontiersmen
Legion of Frontiersmen
The Legion of Frontiersmen is a paramilitary group formed in Britain in 1905 by Roger Pocock, a former Constable with the North-West Mounted Police and Boer War veteran, with its roots firmly set in another era, to bolster the defensive capacity of the British Empire...
who were commanded by Lieutenant Edward W. Vere Holloway and Sergeant Joseph Russell.
A small barracks and mess hall with office facilities were also located nearby along with two powder magazines. They were surrounded by a stone wall with gates. However, during World War I the Fort saw no action.
In 1920 the barrack building was sold and became a dance hall. The wall and other buildings were dismantled and used to repair the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (St. John's)
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is located in the city of St. John's, Newfoundland. This parish in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador was founded in 1699 in response to a petition drafted by the Anglican townsfolk of St. John's and sent to the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev....
Anglican Cathedral as well as home foundations, during the 1940s. The circular stone wall around the gun remains in place from WWI.
During World War I the chain was replaced with anti-submarine nets
Use of Fort in World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
The Chain Rock was once again used to attach a large chain and anti-submarine boom connecting to Fort Amherst above Pancake Rock, so as to prevent the entry of German U-boats into the harbour.
Local Neighborhood
The BatteryThe Battery, St. John's
The Battery is a small neighbourhood within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.The Battery sits on the entrance to the harbour located on the slopes of Signal Hill. Sometimes described as an outport within the city of St. John's. The area is noted for its steep slopes, colourful...
is also the name that describes a small neighbourhood within the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
where Fort Waldegrave was located. In the 1920s a a large stone building was built near the foot of the headland and was initially used as a hotel, the Hotel Newfoundland. In the Lower Battery area where US Army Dock Road is now located, there were at one time, railway tracks.
Grand Concourse Authority
The Grand ConcourseGrand Concourse (St. John's)
The Grand Concourse is an integrated walkway system for the cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl and the town of Paradise in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
, is a network of walkways that covers the metropolitan area of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Capital, St. John's, as well as its neighbouring communities of Mount Pearl and Paradise. It is 125 km long and links rivers, lakes and ponds, parks and green spaces, and historical sites such as Fort Waldegrave. This fort can be found by following the walkway indicated on the website named "Concourse Harbourside Walk East". The Authority also sets up informational boards at various points of interest on the walkways.
External links
- Signal Hill National Historic Site - Parks Canada
- http://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/890380/cruise-liner.html A cruise ship passes between the Narrows