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Lester Fleet in Trinity Harbour18th Century, Circa 1795
Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Plan of the Admiral's Point, Trinity Harbour (1746)1746
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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The fort on Admiral's Point (called Fort Point in the Royal Engineers Report of 1812, as it has been ever since) was commenced by the Imperial authorities in 1744 and consisted of a battery of fourteen 24 pounders covering the narrows at the entrance to the harbour, and another battery of four 6 pounders covering the shoreline to Salvage Head. In 1748, these fortifications were improved as they appear in "A Plan of the Admirals Point in Trinity Harbour, Newfoundland in 1748" This plan shows a 15 gun battery, a 3 gun battery and a 4 gun battery, parapet walls, Storekeepers Hut, Gunners Hut, Storehouse, Magazine and intended Barracks. This "intended barracks" was probably built soon after to accommodate the garrison of Royal Artillery men.10
Plan of Admiral's Point (1748)1748
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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State and Condition of Admiral's (Fort) Point in 174810 May 1748
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Abstract of Trinity Report1750
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In the spring of 1762, nearing the end of the Seven Years' War France launched an attack on Newfoundland to improve their position in upcoming peace talks. St. John's surrendered and the French sent ships to other major settlements to acquire provisions. Trinity surrendered on July 17th. The only shots fired were ceremonial and the French treated the inhabitants quite civilly. On August 1st, 1762 the French left Trinity very suddenly when they heard that a British Fleet intent on recapturing Newfoundland was near St. John's. They only had time to render the Fort useless by spiking the guns. They also destroyed the military buildings (the magazine and barracks) and some of the other buildings around the harbour.14
Plan of Admiral's (Fort) Point (1762)1762
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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While Trinity was occupied by the French in 1762, roughly two weeks, Trinity Harbour and the Fort were surveyed and mapped by a French officer, an engineer, Marc Antoine Sicre de Cinq-Mars, prior to the buildings being destroyed. He was one of the most skilled cartographers (map makers) of his age. The detail on the map of Fort Point is amazing, however it can be misleading as many of the structures shown were planned by the English but never constructed.16
Legend for the Plan of Admiral's (Fort) Point1762
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Cartographic Map of Trinity Harbour (1762)1762
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Royal Engineers Report on the defences of Trinity, 1812."This is generally considered as the finest harbour in the Island, as it is of great extent, easily entered and affords excellent anchorage - The narrowest part of the entrance is about a quarter of a mile wide, which might be made very difficult to pass by cross fire from Guns placed on Fort and Sam White Points: but as there were few inhabitants on the latter side, and it appeared the general wish that the force should not be separated, Fort Point only was occupied. There were formerly 16 or 18 Guns mounted here, but when the place was taken by the French in the year 1762 they were mostly destroyed as well as the casemated Magazine and Guard Room. Of these Guns only one 24 pds. remains serviceable, which was spiked and is much honey combed - but a new vent has been drilled and the Gun proved with 101lbs. of powder."
"The other Guns are two short 12 pounders and three long 9 pds. in good condition - The parapets to the Guns are nearly completed and platforms were laid for two before the COMET'S arrival; since which time a Portable Magazine and a sentry box cabable of containing 4 or 5 men have been constructed, and signals made out to give the Town intelligence of any vessels that may appear, and to assemble the Volunteers and 2 or 3 privates mount every night."
"The only ammunition here besides that sent by the COMET, is 12-24 pd. shot left by Capt. Blarney and about 30 balls of from 12 to 2 lbs. The remaining Guns in Trinity are two 12 pds. on Ryders Hill (today Gun Hill), which are spiked, much honeycombed and apparently of no use - also 5 -24pds. and one 6pds. quite unservicable - The volunteers who have taken the Oath of Allegiance and appear very desirous of improving are divided into 2 companies, one of Artillery of 50 men, and the other of 100 men armed with Musquets and sealing guns -Mr. Kelson is the Commandant of the whole and has particular direction of the Artillery - W. Jenkins commands the other Company."
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Cannon at Fort Point1970-1980
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Cannon at Fort Point1990-1997
Fort Point, Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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