 |
Alyn's Stamp Site | |
| The Canadian Forts Series | ||
|
Main Page Articles My want list What is it? My Philatelic Library Links Recent Finds My Duplicates |
On June 30 1983, Canada Post issued a set of 10 stamps depicting Canadian
forts for Canada Day. The “Forts Across Canada Series” continued in 1985
when on June 28, a further 10 stamps were issued for Canada Day concluding
the series. Both sets of stamps are perforated 12½ x 13 and were printed
by Ashton-Potter Limited based on the designs by Rolf P. Harder. | |
  |
Castle Hill,
located in Newfoundland and Labrador was established by the French in
17th Century at present day Placentia. The fort and settlement was built
to ensure a claim on the Grand Banks fishery. Under the command of Pierre
Le Moyne D’Iberville, the French marched from Placentia and destroyed
36 British settlements and captured boats, cod and prisoners. 
The
site of many battles between the French and British, Fort Anne, Nova Scotia
was initially built by the early Scottish settlers to the Annapolis Valley
in 1629. When Nova Scotia reverted to French control in the 1630’s a series
of 4 forts were built followed by 2 make shift forts. In 1702 construction
of the Vauban earthworks began. These earthworks still survive today.
The
Fort at Cote-du-lac, Quebec was built to defend the St. Lawrence and border
areas against attack from the Americans and prevent the Americans from
cutting the lines of communications between Upper and Lower Canada. Heavily
reinforced with troops and expanded over both sides of the Canal. The
western side defended against land attack and the eastern controlled the
St. Lawrence. 
Constructed
by the French in 1751, Fort Beausejour in New Brunswick was intended to
protect French interests in the area. Captured by British Forces in 1755
it was renamed Fort Cumberland and played a role in the deportation of
the Acadians in the 1750’s and 60’s. 
Designed
by Vauban, Fort Chambly, Quebec built in 1711 was used to protect New
France from the British. Fort Chambly was taken over by the British in
1760 after their successful conquest of New France. In 1775 it was occupied
by American forces until the spring of 1776 after the Americans suffered
defeat at Quebec. 
The
original Fort Erie, Ontario was the 1st British fort constructed after
the 7 years war. It served as a supply depot and port until the elements
dictated that a new fort be built on the heights behind it. Unfinished
at the outbreak of war in 1812, the fort was held by American forces in
1813 before they withdrew. American forces again occupied the fort in
1814. After an unsuccessful attempt by the British to re-occupy the fort,
they conducted a siege from August 15 to September 17. The Americans broke
the siege and withdrew after destroying the fort. Fort Erie is the site
of the Bloodiest Battlefield in the history of Canada. 
Located
in Kingston, Ontario, Fort Frederick consists of a Martello tower and
earthworks. Completed in 1792 the Naval Base was further fortified during
the War of 1812. On November 10, 1812 the guns of Fort Frederick’s battery
took part in the defence of the area by repelling an American naval force.
Originally
built during the War of 1812, Fort Henry was built to guard the Kingston
Navy Yards and the outlet of the St. Lawrence River. It became more important
after the completion of the Rideau Canal and was rebuilt between 1832
and 1837 to better defend the southern end of the canal. It was the largest
and principal fort in Upper Canada and was garrisoned until 1891. 
Situated
on île aux Noix, Fort Lennox was built between 1819 and 1829. It was constructed
to defend the colony from an American invasion via the Richelieu River.
The Island, it is situated on, was used as a base by Americans to attack
Montreal after they Declared war on Great Britain in 1775. 
Fort
number 1 at Point Lévy, Québec was one of 3 forts constructed between
1865 and 1872 by the British. These forts were completed to protect the
city of Québec and its Port from invasion by the Americans. 
On
Hudson Bay, Prince of Wales Fort is situated across from Churchill, Manitoba.
Originally constructed as a log fort by James Knight, of the Hudson’s
Bay Company in 1717, it was called the Churchill River Post. Renamed Prince
of Wales fort 2 years later, it was intended to protect and control the
Hudson’s Bay Company’s access to the fur trade. The current fort structure
was built beginning in 1731 and had 42 cannons with a battery across the
river intended to have 6 more cannons. 
A
Coast artillery fort located near Esquimault, British Columbia, Rodd Hill
was intended to defend both the Esquimault Naval Base and the city of
Victoria. It is located with Fisgard Lighthouse, which was the first light
house on Canada’s West coast. 
Named
after and built by Inspector James Morrow Walsh and his ‘B’ troop of the
North West Mounted Police, Fort Walsh was built in 1875 to bring law and
order to the Cypress Hills. This area of what is now Saskatchewan was
known as a hotbed of illegal activity. 
Fort
Wellington was originally built during the War of 1812 to protect the
shipping route between Montreal and Kingston from an American attack.
A second Fort Wellington was completed in 1839 and used the refurbished
earthen ramparts of the original fort. 
Located
near present day Lethbridge, Alberta Fort Whoop-Up was built by John Healy
and Alfred Hamilton of Montana and served them in the illegal trade of
whisky for bison robes. After the first trading season the original fort
(named Fort Hamilton) burned down and in 1870 a larger fort was constructed.
Originally a fur trading post located at Grand Portage, Minnesota it was
forced to move after the area was ceded to the United States after the
War of Independence. 
Located
in Modern day Toronto, Fort York was authorized to be built by Lieutenant
Governor John Graves Simcoe. When the fort was built it guarded the only
entrance to the docks and was located just west of the parliament buildings.
The current Citadel at Halifax is located on a hill overlooking the city
and harbour of Halifax. Earlier fortifications were built at this location
in 1749-50, 1776-81 and 1795-1800. The present fort was approved in 1825
and work began on it 1828. After about 30 years, the fort was finally
completed in 1856. 
Finished
in 1830, Lower Fort Garry was built by the Hudson’s Bay Company on the
banks of the Red River to replace the original Fort Garry that was destroyed
by a flood in 1826. The location was selected by George Simpson, the Governor
of the Hudson’s Bay Company at the time, as it was on higher ground and
eliminated the need to portage as it was below the St. Andrews rapids.
Located
on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour, York Redoubt was
established in 1793 and was expanded in up to the end of the World War
II. Constructed at the outbreak of war between revolutionary France and
Britain it was built to repel any attack on Halifax by sea. Reconstructed
in the 1860s, taking on a totally different appearance York Redoubt’s
role in protecting Halifax remained unchanged.