The Roof at Spion Kop (and York Shore Battery)

Earlier this evening I spent some time walking the paths at York Redoubt. While most paths lead to the harbour, or a steep cliff overlooking it. One of the last paths walked lead us to a well established party spot complete with a log-bench and well-used fire pit built of small stones.

We walked as far as Spion Kop and than back down through the unmarked footpaths to York Shore Battery. Along the way took interest in one of the concrete foundations. Like many of the other foundations around York Redoubt, the upper level has been removed leaving a sealed foundation. This particular foundation had a large hole permitting a good view of its interior. The ceiling has collapsed and the room is slowing being filled with scrap wood.

York Shore Battery remains closed to the public. It may only be a matter of time before some of the roofs collapse down into the battery. I don't recommend spending much, if any, time on the rooftops at York Shore Battery.

1. On the rooftop at Spion Kop.


2. Base Command Post from Spion Kop.


3. The path leading to Spion Kop.


4. Unknown foundation on road to York Shore Battery.


5. Inside the unknown foundation.


6. Just across the road from the unknown foundation is a second, larger, unknown foundation.
I believe this one is accessible through an open door.


7. Left to right: York Shore Battery's searchlight emplacements (Searchlights #690, #691 and #692), Georges Island, the community of Eastern Passage, and McNabs Island.

York Redoubt Powder Magazine & Spion Kop

I thought I'd seen just about everything there was to see at York Redoubt. I was wrong.

Today I was introduced to a magazine built in 1870 to accomodate the gunpowder required by the then new rifled muzzle-loading guns you can still find at York Redoubt today.

The magazine isn't very exciting in its current state however it is open to the public. It should be noted that the lightbulbs inside the magazine are all intact suggesting they may be operable. Unless lightbulbs are maintained, they're usually found broken.

Following the brief trip though the powder magazine, we headed down the hill to the path to Spion Kop, the Redoubt's former command post. Spion Kop is also known as Practice Battery.

1. Outside the powder magazine, the passage on the left was reserved for the moment of gunpowder.


2. Magazine Entrance Passageway


3. Magazine Entrance Passageway from inside.


4. Inside the Powder Magazine.


5. Rifled Muzzle-Loading (RML) Gun


6. At Spion Kop, I assume this was guard post.


7. Spion Kop (Rear)


8. Inside Spion Kop's largest room.



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