York Redoubt Tunnels - Halifax, NS (10-October-2007)

Short clip from the underground caponier at York Redoubt in Halifax, NS. 10/10/07 http://bit.ly/cZ1sDX

This 200-year-old fortification is situated on a high bluff overlooking the spectacular entrance of Halifax Harbour. York Redoubt's original batteries were built in 1793, at the outbreak of war between Britain and revolutionary France. When French warships were reported in the western Atlantic, harbour batteries were hastily erected to secure Halifax from attack by sea. Over the years the site was enlarged and strengthened. Edward, Duke of Kent made several improvements between 1795 and 1800. By the early 1860s, advances in artillery design had made the site obsolete. The rearmament of York Redoubt caused a complete reconstruction and enlargement of the site. Despite the dramatic changes in appearance, the role of the new Redoubt remained much the same as the old.

Its lofty vantage point gave York Redoubt an important communications role. In the 19th century York Redoubt and the Citadel used signal flags to keep each other informed of ships' movements.

During the First World War, the site was used as barracks for assigned infantry and for troops waiting to go overseas. Between 1940-42 the Fire Command Post for harbour defences was built at York Redoubt. Early in the Second World War, the Redoubt was the nerve centre for harbour defences, including an anti-submarine net which stretched across the harbour's entrance from the Redoubt to McNabs Island. York Redoubt remained in military use until 1956.

Today, the public can wander among the armament and 200-year-old fortifications while enjoying the fresh air and panoramic views of Halifax Harbour and the open Atlantic.

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• tribeach
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• urban
• exploration
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• canada
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• caponier
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[Scythyn666]

where is this at? where is this stairs and tunnel?

[tribeachpunk]

@Scythyn666 They're normally boarded up.. Just beyond the guns, below the hill where there flag flies

[12HMMurdock]

where do the tunnles go?

[tribeachpunk]

to the edge of the fort's wall

[lasergirl69]

Very cool. I didn't know about the second tunnel - now I'll have to go back again!

[tribeachpunk]

it's just beyond the first tunnel. :)

[waverunnertree]

you should make a video of hot to get there

[Shaneation]

There's another tunnel closer to the beach that goes into the bunker, it's meant to be the back/escape exit!

[ediehats]

i used to play in these tunels as i kid before the foret ws made a public park.

we used to dare each other to go in because it was sooooo scary.

We werent allowed to be there of course ...we were supposed to stay out of the forts ...but of course we ignored our parents!!

[lasergirl69]

There's an earthworks embankment with mounted cannons and if you follow the line of the embankment to the left (towards the hill with the flagpole) there's a path and a sign that says "danger do not enter" which is exactly where you want to go. Watch your step, though, because by crossing that fence you are standing at the top of an escarpment that is probably 30 feet high at least, and the dropoff's quite sharp.

[lasergirl69]

They aren't really tunnels, they're defense structures that have stairs because they go down into a hill. One side of the defenses looks out into a dry ditch, and the other onto a granite escarpment. They are used to defend the fort against outside attackers.

[lasergirl69]

I went back and the second tunnel isn't as exciting as the first, but it's still really cool. I took a friend through the area and showed him the defenses, etc. The boarded-up tunnel is broken open again, by the way.

[petracekb]

what do u mean by cannons??