Defending the Harbour

English: , Saint John Harbour has long been strategically important. There are many sites in and around the harbour relating to its defense , from Fort Saint Marie, now known as Fort LaTour, a fortified fur-trading settlement built in 1631, through the fortifications on Partridge Island built in response to the War of 18 12, to Fort Mispec, built in 1940. These and the many other sites illustrate defensive responses to changing offensive naval technology and were collectively designated a Millennium Provincial Historic Site in 2000. , From the mid 1600s, to protect their interests, the French built and re-built a fort at the mouth of the harbour, renaming it each time. Their presence came to an end in 1755 when they blew up their latest fort, Fort Menagouche, fearing its capture by the British. In 1758, the British built their own fort, Fort Frederick, on its ruins. Later, in 1775, Fort Frederick was captured and burnt by an armed American sloop from Machias, Maine, which then withdrew, leaving the British to rebuild., This pattern of feverish military construction during times of crisis, followed by deterioration during the ensuing peace, was typical for most military installations built to protect Saint John. For example, the threat of attack from the Americans after their Civil War led to the construction of the Red Head and Negro Point batteries. And, the threat of attack during both World Wars, when U-boats entered the Bay of Fundy, reaching Saint John, led to the extensive construction of more military works. , Today, the most extensive original military structures in Saint John are located on Partridge Island. Designated as both a National and Provincial Historic site, most of its gun battery foundations, some two dozen structures, are still intact. , Another military installation, visible from this location, is the Carleton Martello Tower, seen through this viewing tube. The base of the tower is part of the original structure built by the British in response to the War of 18 12. It provided a commanding view and control of the land and sea approaches to the harbour. The tower was adapted for use in the Second World War as a fire command post for Saint John, when the concrete superstructure was added. The tower is now restored as a National Historic Site with interpretive exhibits., Fortification Sites , , 1 . Fort Saint Marie /Fort LaTour (1631) , 2 . Fort D'Aulnay (1648); Fort Villebon (1698); Fort Menagouche (1750); Fort Frederick (1758) , 3 . Fort Howe (Western Battery, Signal Station, Eastern Blockhouse) (1778) , 4 . Lower Cove Military Works (Lower Cove Battery, Prince Edward Battery, Grave Yard Battery, Mortar Battery, Dorchester Blockhouse) (1793); Barrack Green Armoury (1911) , 5 . Partridge Island Signal Battery (1800); , Royal Artillery Battery (1813); , Western Graveyard and Eastern Battery , (World War One); , Examination Battery and Channel Battery , (World War Two) , 6 . Carleton Martello Tower (1812) , 7 . Drummond Blockhouse (1812) , 8 . Johnson Blockhouse (1813) , 9 . Southeast Battery (1813) , 10 . Red Head Battery (1863) , 11 . Negro Point Battery/Fort Dufferin (1863) , 12 . Courtenay Bay Breakwater Battery (1939) , 13 . Fort Mispec (1940) ,