Fort McNab

Fort McNab

Fort McNab was built between 1888 and 1892 based on a new British coastal defense design for large breech loading guns, which spread the guns out on a longer front allowing an increased arc of engagement and minimized the damage to adjacent guns if a direct hit occurred on one gun. The long, low slopes of Fort McNab were deliberate, and intended to absorb or deflect enemy shells.

The 10 Inch Mark I BL was the largest gun ever mounted in Halifax. Built in 1890 of all steel construction, weighing exactly 32 tons, a propelling charge of 252 lbs of brown prism powder, 500 lb projectile and an effective range of ~8000 yards (4.5 miles). The original plan was for two 10 Inch guns, but only one was ever mounted. There were few 10 Inch BL gun in coast defence service, just 3-4 in the UK and another 7 or so world- wide. There are possibly three 10 Inch BL guns preserved today, Hong Kong, Australia, and Fort McNab, which is the only one still mounted in its original location. There are also very few period photos of this gun on a barbette mounting, most 10 Inch coast defence guns were mounted on disappearing carriages.

At Fort McNab, the 10 Inch BL was replaced by a 9.2 Inch gun on central pivot in 1906. The 9.2 Inch gun became the standard for British costal defence. Fort McNab had an important role as a close in and counter- bombardment fortification with a sophisticated fire control system for determining the position of enemy vessels and directing fire from the fort’s guns on the targets. The 9.2 Inch gun remained in service at Fort McNab until 1942, when it was relocated to the newly finished Devils Battery at Hartlens Point. Fort McNab also served an important position in enemy detection in its role as the ‘examination station’. Ships entering the harbor identified themselves to the fort for permission to proceed, in this way ensuring hostile vessels did not enter the inner harbour. Fort McNab also controlled the searchlights on the south end of the island, meaning it was responsible for controlling harbour traffic. For these reasons, it became known as the “Gatekeeper of Halifax Harbour.”

The 10 Inch BL barrel was removed from the island in 1911 and for many years was located at York Redoubt. In late 2010 Parks Canada returned the gun to Fort McNab as part of their restoration project at the fort.