Louisburg - back in history

For those lucky enough to be planning a holiday in eastern Canada, perhaps to enjoy the fall colours and the maple syrup, there is one special place to put on your itinerary. If you are in Nova Scotia you will naturally visit Cape Breton, and in Cape Breton the crown jewel of the Canadian Park Service is the historic recreation of Fort Louisbourg - an awesome spectacle! Louis XIV began construction of this military stronghold in 1719 and it was only completed in 1745. The fort and the town that grew up outside its walls were a thriving community of several thousand inhabitants. The townspeople lived on the fishing industry and their exports of dried fish brought in 8 times the value of the fur trade at this time. It was also a major trading center, with as many as 150 vessels a year docking and unloading and loading trade goods. As support for these merchant fleets Louisbourg had the first lighthouse in Canada. A mighty fortress on the surface, incredibly expensive, but badly situated and poorly built. During the struggle between France and England in the 18th century the fort was besieged twice, and fell both times. In 1745 it surrendered after a six-week siege by New England troops supported by the British navy. It was returned to France after three years only to be captured again after another six-week siege in 1758. If it was such a huge fort, why did it fall so quickly twice? Well, all the guns pointed out to sea, so an attack from land couldn't be resisted as strongly. The fort was built on low ground, in a swamp, actually. Soldiers on the surrounding hills could fire directly over the walls and into the fort! Finally, the builders were after a fast dollar and mixed the cement with sea water, which was faster and easier. When the cannon on the wall were fired, the faulty cement began to crack! Then the French force of 7,000 was attacked by a British force of 16,000 troops supported by 150 ships. It was the largest assembled assault force in colonial Canadian history. The garrison really had no chance. After the second capture it was decided that the fort should be destroyed, and the walls were torn down and all the buildings burned or blown up. Local people then used the imported cut stone for their own homes and barns and blocks can still be found today in Halifax and Sydney. Reconstruction of the fort began in 1961 and the rebuilding of one-quarter of the original town and fortifications took twenty years. The walls, the garrison buildings, the governor's home and all the supporting buildings of the thriving community have been completely rebuild and refurnished in the style of their day. When you visit the fort today you will meet its inhabitants, dressed in the style of 1744, and happy to talk to you and answer your questions. Talk to a soldier. You'll find them happy to tell you about guard duty, living conditions, armaments, security, food and a soldier's life in general. Visit the imposing King's Bastion. Talk to some of the servants, cooks or craftsmen. Surrounded by ramparts, the King's Bastion is a fort within a fortress. The King's Bastion Barracks is the largest building on site and in its day was one of the largest buildings in North America. A visit to the soldiers' barracks, damp, cold and disease-ridden year round, provides a contrast to the home of the governor, who lived in absolute luxury. His furniture, piano, china, glassware, wardrobe, carpets, etc. have all been recreated with items from the time. A tour of the kitchen is fascinating and leaves you with great respect for the poor cooks! Louisbourg today is recognized internationally as an exceptional window on our 18th century colonial history. If you are planning a holiday in the Maritimes, set aside a day for Louisbourg.

 

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