Friday, August 13, 2010

The Carleton Martello Tower

I keep saying, "I'm done," but then I find that there's more: something like John Donne, I guess (if that doesn't register, just move on — it's not important).

On the morning that we were to catch the ferry from Saint John to Digby, we had a bit of time to spare, and since the Carleton Martello Tower was pretty well on the way, we stopped to take a few piccies. We didn't have enough time to pay and go inside, but it was a nice day and a pretty good photo op.

Carleton Martello Tower

Carleton Martello Tower

Here is some information from the website.

Carleton Martello Tower dates from the War of 1812 and played a pivotal role in conflicts up until the Second World War. The site features a restored powder magazine, a restored barracks room, and exhibits in the tower and in the Visitor Centre.

Carleton Martello Tower is just one of over 200 defence towers that the British built worldwide. Between 1810 and 1847, eleven Martello towers were constructed in British North America. In an age of smoothbore artillery, these towers were seen as an effective and affordable way to protect coastal areas from enemy attack.

But what makes a tower a Martello tower? Martello towers, whether in Canada, England, or Mauritius, all had certain features in common. For instance, these structures were circular in shape with a flat roof on which artillery could be mounted. The towers were accessible through a doorway in the second storey, or barrack floor. The ground floor had storage space and a gunpowder magazine. The key feature was a round, brick pillar that supported both the roof and the arched brick ceiling which, along with the thick walls, was designed to absorb artillery fire. Based on these elements, it is easy to see why Martello towers gained a reputation for strength.

7 comments:

Bernie said...

I have never been to this place AC, it does look like a place I would enjoy ...... will add it to my list..........:-)Hugs

Ginnie said...

It is always eerie to see a left over such as this from WW II or other wars. I had the same feeling when visiting San Francisco and saw the pill boxes on the coast line.

Diana said...

I love those old, old structures! I wished that you could have gone inside and taken photos, if they'd let you. This is so cool!
Love Di ♥

MARY G said...

Gorgeous day and equally gorgeous photos. Good thing no man is an island, or my latest post would still be saying 'boluder'. Thanks for the catch. Owe you.

Turtle Guy said...

I appreciate John Donne. He once used the metaphor of a mathematical compass to describe the relationship he had with his wife. He was about to set off on a lengthy journey and didn't want his wife to worry. He described her as his Foot and his Centre, the point around which he revolved.

The Compass, by John Donne

Dull sublunary lovers' love
(Whose soul is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
Those things which elemented it.


But we by a love so much refin'd,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.


Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat.


If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the' other do.


And though it in the centre sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam,
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.


Such wilt thou be to me, who must
Like th' other foot, obliquely run;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end, where I begun.

Anvilcloud said...

Hey TG: If I ever read that poem I forget it although the one line at least seems very familiar -- "Like gold to airy thinness beat." I enjoyed JD way back when.

Mara said...

I didn't know they had Martello Towers in any other place than England and Ireland. I visited one several years back in Ireland and it was quite hard to see over the edge, the wall being quite high and really really wide!