"Best Local Conspiracy Theory"

The Coast's Best of Halifax 2013 is out, and among the many gold winners is the maze of tunnels that are alleged to connect Citadel Hill and Georges' Island. The debunked passageway to the harbour island won "Best Local Conspiracy Theory", ahead of Bayers Lake's Holy Grail and a clean harbour. The Coast was nice enough to recommend this blog for more information on the tunnels.

Busting Harbour Myths

I wanted share this here since it is unforunately no longer available through the Government of Canada.

York Redoubt Walkabout

Earlier today I drove out to Ferguson's Cove, to York Redoubt, a National Historic Site of Canada. York Redoubt was established in 1793, and was built up over the next 150 years. The redoubt was essential to harbour defense throughout both world wars before it's closure in 1956.

I hadn't been to the area in well over a year. After double checking the time the gate would close, 6pm, I headed for the caponier tunnels. I anticipated the closure of the more extensive tunnel and was correct. The far tunnel remains open. The stairs crumbled away years ago, and the tunnel is still popular with big, ugly spiders.



I circled around to the exterior wall of the sealed caponier tunnel. There, I was able to reach in and take some crude shots of the interior.

My next stop was the cliff-side cave. It's still flooded but I was able to navigate my way inside wearing only sneakers.



After leaving the cave, I made my way down the path to York Shore Battery, and the three light emplacements just beyond it. York Shore Battery is closed because many parts of it are unstable. I was sure to watch my step venturing out on a rooftop for several photos.

York Shore Battery was built for World War Two. It was armed with three guns and controlled the mines at the harbour's entrance.

I climbed down the bank to the shoreline and approached the light emplacements from below due to the unstable terrain above. The light emplacements smelled of fresh spray paint.



From the light emplacements, I walked a beaten path straight up the hill. In hindsight, I would have preferred to walk back the way I came. I didn't fall until I could see the top. The path left me backtracking considerably to return to the parking lot.


View York Redoubt in a larger map

Related Links

• Parks Canada: York Redoubt National Historic Site
• UER.ca Location DB: York Redoubt - York Shore Battery  

Downtown Developments

I took a short walk across the waterfront earlier this afternoon. Along the way, I stopped at several of the downtown buildings that are undergoing extensive renovations. And one that isn't.

Preparation for the nine storey Waterside Centre at Historic Properties continues. Aside from exterior structural supports, not very much progress is visible from the outside.





The site of the Chronicle Herald building, demolished in March 2010, remains a wasteland. It's quite an eyesore, with garbage piling up against the fencing and in deep holes in the foundation.



The addition of several levels at City Centre Atlantic is progressing. This photo from Birmingham Street, near Spring Garden Road.

Georges Island & NS Power Lower Water Street Relocation

Just a quick update today with three photos from downtown Halifax.

This first is Georges Island. I've blogged about Georges several in the past and had the opportunity to visit the island drumlin in June 2008.

Some background on Georges Island...

The island was first fortified in 1750, shortly after Halifax was founded in 1749. During the Acadien Explusion from 1755 through 1763, those facing deportation were kept on the island, which doubled as a prison.

Defenses on the island were strengthened during the American Revolution, throughout the 1790s, and again during the War of 1812 and American Civil War. After 1850, with advances in technology, the fort was again overhauled, building the modern Fort Charlotte on the island.

Georges Island played a small role in Halifax's defense during both World Wars I and II, notably anchoring a submarine net protecting the inner harbour during World War 1 and housing an anti-aircraft unit throughout World War 2. Military service on the island ended with the war and it was declared a National Historic Site of Canada some twenty years later.

Unfortunately, Georges Island is not normally open to the public. Parks Canada continues to work to restore the island to allow public visitation in the future.

Source: Parks Canada - Georges Island National Historic Site of Canada

Nova Scotia Power's relocation to a former Lower Water Street generating station pushes on. The building's exterior appears mostly complete and the interior has some lighting. The power corporation plans to move into this location in the Spring of this year.

The utility boasts that the redeveloped building will reduce it's environmental footprint. The building's list of key features includes (among many others) LEED platinum certification, sea-water heating, rainwater irrigation, and the glass interior, or 'curtain-wall,' designed to maximize natural light.

Source: NS Power - Lower Water Street Relocation

Downtown Halifax Tunnels

Photo: National Resources Canada 

For decades construction crews have been bumping into passageways beneath Halifax's downtown core. The tunnels under Halifax have been written about and discussed for decades. The official line was that they were not actually passageways, but sewers.

They're definitely not sewers.

Photographs taken in 1976 show rock walls with arched ceilings, approximately six feet high, and wooden floors.

Rumours suggest that many of the older buildings that did, and still do, stand downtown could access these tunnels from their basement level.

We know there are, or were prior to development, stone passageways under many streets in the core. What we can't seem to agree on, or confirm true, is the existence of other tunnels branching out from the downtown. Some believe a tunnel connects Brunswick Street to the Halifax Citadel. Others suggest a tunnel connects the Halifax Citadel to the Halifax Armoury at the corner of North Park and Cunard Street. Both make sense, but I have yet to encounter anyone who can confirm or deny they're actually there.

Then there is the tunnel that allegedly runs from somewhere near the harbour, presumably near Sackville at Lower Water Street, and then beneath the harbour floor, eventually surfacing on the once militarized George's Island.

The George's Island under-water passage has been debunked but some of the mystery still remains in the words of 19th century mason John William Cameron. Cameron, although sworn to secrecy, claimed to have built two tunnels under Halifax- the tunnel to the Citadel as well as the tunnel to the island.

Over time I've built a map to illustrate where the tunnels might potentially lie. To my knowledge, only a few of them are at all accessible.

View Downtown Halifax Tunnel System in a larger map.

Confirmed (Blue Marker) ― These are documented tunnel entrances, some verified by photo.

Date	Entrance Location
2012	1682 Hollis St (Halifax Club)
1995	Sackville St at Lower Water St
1977	Duke St at Granville St
1976	Price St at Grafton St
1973	George St
1938	Duke St at Market St
1919	Town Clock

Rumoured (Yellow Marker) ― These tunnel entrances range from speculative to debunked.

Date	Entrance Location
1995	Prince St at Market St
-	1740 Granviille St (Dennis Building)

Blue Lines ― Represent tunnels that almost certainly do, or did, exist.
Red Lines ― Represent tunnels that do not exist, or are not likely to exist.

Link: Natural Resources Canada: Busting Harbour Myths

Shoreline Erosion at York Shore Battery

While out walking earlier a few weeks ago we walked around the perimeter fence at York Shore Battery, below York Redoubt, to check things out. I hadn't been to the World War II era anti-submarine station in several months.

Not surprisingly, very little has changed at York Shore Battery since my previous visit. We did, however, notice that the erosion of the shoreline below the battery is rapidly deteriorating. Much of the reinforcements have failed.

The missing soil makes accessing the three adjacent light emplacements difficult and we didn't attempt it. You'll need to travel through the brush over unstable earth to make the trip.

York Shore Battery itself is not yet in danger of falling into the harbour. That shouldn't happen. However, the foundation of at least one of the light emplacements is being washed out on a regular basis. There will come a day when it, or they, will topple, depending on how well they're anchored to the hillside.




View York Redoubt in a larger map

Stabilizing Fort McNab

As part of the federal government's economic action plan $1 025 000 (actionplan.gc.ca) was earmarked for the "stabilization of selected historic assets within the Fort McNab." Fort McNab was and is falling to pieces and many parts of the cannot be considered safe for unguided public access. The result of the stabilization should provide safe unguided public access to the fort. The work began during in September 2010. I became aware when Friends of McNabs announced via Twitter (Friends of McNabs @Twitter) that the fort would be upgraded, getting a "$1.6 million facelift," and would be closed to the public for the remainder of the year.

It was my assumption that major aspects of the fort's stabilization would include repairs to the crumbling building facades and the limiting of access to areas determined to be unsafe. Most of the access to underground areas was sealed years ago, I assume the remaining tunnels will be closed off as part of efforts to stabilize the fort.

When I visited Fort McNab with a group of close friends late in September 2010 work was already underway. My assumption that work would be done on crumbling building exteriors was confirmed by scaffolding. We were all pleasantly surprised to see much of the brush and overgrowth cut back revealing all kinds of new views.



We had a great time on the island again this year. Every time we visit we find something new or previously overlooked. I still haven't figured out an effective way to carry all of my gear and I have yet to learn how much water is enough. Apparently I need more than three litres for a twenty-four hour stay. We spent the night in tents after hiking through the interior, to McNabs Pond Trail to Strawberry Battery and back out through the Cliff Trail.

Taylor Made Tours (Capt. Steve Taylor, 902-448-4982/902-465-6272, Fisherman's Cove, Eastern Passage) ferried us to and from the island.

See also:

• Halifax UrbEx: McNabs Island - Natal Day 2009 (08.02.09)
• UER.ca Location Database: Fort McNab
• Canada's Economic Action Plan: Long term stabilization of historic assets, Fort McNab National Historic Site
• Friends of McNabs Island Society
• Parks Canada: Fort McNab National Historic Site of Canada

View Larger Map

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Parade Finale

HMS Liverpool and HMS Sutherland

Photos from Royal Navy guided missile destroyer HMS Liverpool and frigate HMS Sutherland at the Tall Ships Quay in Halifax during International Fleet Review public tours.

1. HMS Sutherland (left) and HMS Liverpool (Right).


2. Royal Navy helicopter art.


3. Royal Navy helicopter artillery.


4. HMS Sutherland's 'Merlin' helicopter.


5.


6. American guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and frigate USS Robert G. Bradley.


7. Sea Dart surface-to-air missiles aboard HMS Liverpool.


8. Sea Dart surface-to-air missile.


9. Anti-submarine torpedo.

Halifax International Fleet Review - Helicopter Fly-By

Tuesday, June 29, 4:45pm at Purdy's Wharf, Halifax.

Halifax International Fleet Review - QEII Motorcade

Monday, June 28, 4:15pm. Cogswell Street at North Park Street.

Halifax International Fleet Review Arrivals - HMCS Toronto

I've been following as much of the Halifax International Fleet Review (IRF) as I possibly can.

Ships are now arriving regularly. Many of them will be open for public tours beginning as soon as tomorrow at 10am.

At approximately the same time this morning the Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto came into port and moored at the Nova Scotia Power redevelopment. Like all the other IFR ships to come to port this week, HMCS Toronto was escorted into the harbour by half a dozen small crafts. The boat closest to me was occupied by two sailors - the pilot carried only a sidearm, the other an assault rifle.

Prior to the Toronto's arrival the Glen-class naval tugs were busy installing a temporary dock for the frigate.

HMCS Toronto is moored just south of two American ships, the USS Robert G. Bradley, a general purpose escort vessel and USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser.

At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic the Canadian Navy's flag-ship HMCS Athabascan is awkwardly moored in front of HMCS Sackville, the last remaining corvette, and CSS Acadia, a refitted science vessel that served in both world wars.

Some photos from this morning's walk.

1. HMCS Toronto


2. HMCS Toronto


3. HMCS Toronto successfully moored.


4. HMCS Athabascan (and just a bit of CSS Acadia)


5. USS Robert G. Bradley and USS Gettysburg


6. CFAV Glenside

Update: Purcell's Cove Foundation

It turns out that the foundation in Purcell's Cove I wrote about on May 28 was a military installation as suspected.

Built in 1942 this foundation was once the 18th Anti-Aircraft Battery.

1.


2.

Theodore, Silva and MS Maasdam

While Theodore Too departed the harbour tall ship Silva arrived at the Nova Scotia Power redevelopment to meet passengers who arrived last night on the cruise ship MS Massdam.

Navy Vessels Leaving Port

Kingston-class Canadian Navy coastal defence vessel HMCS Moncton left port today just minutes after USS Boone, an American Perry-class guided missile frigate, departed at about 11am this morning.

USS Boone was in port with several other NATO ships and was one of the last to depart. Both vessels departed with small craft escorts.

1. HMCS Moncton


2. USS Boone


Link: CBC News: Major Naval Tests Planned for NB, NS

NS Power redevelopment, Seaport Farmers' Market + Boats!

Some brief updates on development (and redevelopment). The Nova Scotia Power (NSP) redevelopment of the former power station at Lower Water Street and Marginal Road remains on schedule for completion March 2011.

Next door to the NS Power construction is the new Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, scheduled to open next month (July 2010).

Tall Ships.. Another tall ship is in port this week. The French schooner Rara-Avis is at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Like the Roald Amundsen earlier this month, the vessel is protected by a security perimeter and twenty-four hour guard.

I would imagine they are doing periodical public tours of the boat.

Some photos from the June 9th:

1. NSP's redevelopment of the former Lower Water Street thermal power station.


2. Glass now being installed on side facing Georges Island.


3. Glass on the north side of the build has been installed for several months.


4. Construction of the new Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market is progressing.


5. Rara-Avis and CSS Acadia.

Roald Amundsen

Brig Roald Amundsen is in port at Halifax this week near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

The pier Roald Amundsen is moored to has been closed and is blocked by both temporary chain-link fence and two private security guards.

Roald Amundsen is here from Eckernförde, Germany on a scheduled stop before departing soon to central Canada, through the Great Lakes, to the United States and then back, first to Montreal and then Halifax by the end of September 2010.

1. Moored.


2. Guarded.



Link: Roald Amundsen

Purcell's Cove Foundation

Near Purcell's Cove Road lies an odd foundation in the middle of the forest.

I know next to nothing about it.

My best guess is that it was built and utilized by our military but has been unoccupied, perhaps even totally abandoned since World War II, at the absolute latest. The area is entirely grown in however it is easy to tell where roads and clearings once existed. It has been growing unchecked for a very long time, at least sixty-five or more years in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I can't share this location's coordinates as its condition is pristine and I'd hate to see it vandalized because of something I wrote here.

1. On Approach.


2. Inside.


3. Nearby.


If you happen to know a thing or two about this structure and would like to share, I encourage you to contact me through this website or any of my links on the right.

Ships in the Harbour

I noticed two large ships in the harbour while passing through the waterfront this week.

1. Dredger IT INTREPID.


2. Canadian Coast Guard SAR vessel EARL GREY.