Fortress of Louisbourg

When in 1713 the treaty of Utrecht awarded Acadia and Newfoundland to Great Britain, France determined to re-establish the lucrative codfishery on neighbouring Île Royale (Cape Breton Island). Permanent fortifications, not necessarily on the European scale, were to be built on the coast at Louisbourg, in proportion to the relatively small garrison provided. With the benefit of hindsight one could criticize the French engineers for not building, at low cost, well-revetted earthworks on the landward side, combined with masonry batteries for seaward defence. Such a system might well have proved effective.

The year 1758 marked the turning point in the Seven Years’ War. The British government was more determined than ever to eliminate French power in North America. Heavy reinforcements of British regulars were sent across the Atlantic, and assaults were mounted against Louisbourg, which was captured and destroyed in 1758. The fortress, which is located east of Sydney, N.S., was partially rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century as a museum and national historic site operated by Parks Canada.