Digital Louisbourg

The Maurepas Gate – One of the principal gateways through the fortifications of Louisbourg, controlling movement between the fortified town and the surrounding area. Named for the French minister Maurepas, the gate formed part of the fortress’s defensive system and was an important point of access to the town.

The King’s Hospital was the principal military hospital of the French fortress at Louisbourg. Located within the fortified town, it provided medical care for soldiers and other members of the garrison, as well as civilians when circumstances required it.

The hospital complex included spaces for treating and housing patients, along with facilities necessary to support medical care. Its presence reflects the importance of Louisbourg as a major French military and naval base in the Atlantic.

On March 4-5, a King’s Ordonnance declared that a hospital – to be operated by the Brothers of Charity [but owned by the King] – was to be established opposite the Grand Étang, [within Block 13], and that 6,000 livres of start-up money (with another 6,000 livres pledged for next year) was to be set aside from the fortification funds to meet that purpose.⁽¹⁾ Upon his return from France, Chief Engineer Verville [fortification contractor Isabeau (1719-1724 – died after November 1724) was actually tasked with the work] had laid a part of the [Rue d’Orléans/Rue d’Estrées east portion of the] main [hospital] building’s masonry foundations [in lime mortar], and placed two medals (one of silver, one of copper) in one of its angles.⁽²⁾ When work that year stopped, a part of the [masonry] wall was declared raised, and the plan was to continue the project the following spring.⁽³⁾

http://www.krausehouse.ca/krause/FortressOfLouisbourgResearchWeb/Search/Ra983l4k72000_3.htm

YEAR: 1722

In March, the Council in France declared that the construction of the hospital Royal de la Charité was to take precedence over that of the Block 3 Church [which subsequently was never built].⁽⁴⁾ Apparently by March, and certainly sometime that year, an east portion, consisting of the [Rue d’Orléans/Rue d’Estrées east] right aisle/right pavilion and a portion of the [Rue d’Orléans east hospital] ward had been sufficiently completed for occupation by the Brothers of Charity.⁽⁵⁾ Maps 1725-8, 1725-8a, 1726-1, and 1726-1a illustrates the completed interior layout – ground floor Brother’s [Rue d’Estrées east] right aisle/right pavilion residence, [Rue d’Estrées east] right aisle/right pavilion sacristy, [Rue d’Estrées/Rue d’Orléans] chapel, and a portion of the [Rue d’Orléans east hospital] ward – (with a temporary wall closing off to the west the completed portion of the [Rue d’Orléans east hospital] ward), as well as the exterior features of this portion of the building, with the 1726 plans here assumed to be the more accurate

In 1745, prior to the siege or earlier, an accounting noted that the [Rue d’Orléans west] hospital and its bell tower required some minor slate [and possibly associated table lead] repairs (1,000 slates).⁽¹⁰⁴⁾

At this time, according to an English post siege account, the block in 1745 measured 20 rods (330 feet) along [Rue Royalle and d’Orléans – and hence, along the hospital building as well]. Built of 2-foot thick lime [mortared] [rubble] stone, the Hospital Du Roy or Royal Hospital stood two stories high – with two large [hospital wards] below and similar [two large hospital wards] above – with a bell [tower] with its bell in the middle. Its numerous large sash windows were [grilled with bars] described as iron grates.

At its [Rue d’Orléans east] and [Rue d’Orléans west] ends [of the hospital] stood a large dwelling house. From each of them, running north, along [along Rue d’Estrées and Dauphine respectively] was a 12 foot high, 4-foot thick, 13 rod [214.5 foot] long [perimeter property] wall that met the [Rue Royalle perimeter property] wall, enclosing off about an acre of land used as a garden. At the [Rue Royalle east] and [Rue Royalle west] corner of this wall stood large kitchens [buildings] for cooking and brewing. There were also two wells, an arched [entry] gate with a cross, and two [obvious] sun dials, and a fine garden.⁽¹⁰⁵⁾

Dauphin Gate – There were only three land gates and a couple of wharves to give entry to Louisbourg. This one, the principal land entrance, was manned around the clock by an officer and thirty soldiers. Fishermen, wagoneers and children could pass in and out all day long, but each night the sentries ceremoniously locked the gate and raised the bridge. Do you begin to sense the authority of a fortress town? And, in the coat of arms and trophies around the gate, its majesty too?

The Admiralty Court was an important judicial institution in Louisbourg, dealing with matters connected to maritime law, shipping, trade, and the activities of the port. Its presence reflected Louisbourg’s role as a major French Atlantic harbour and commercial centre.

The court could handle disputes involving ships, cargo, sailors, merchants, and other matters arising from maritime commerce. It formed part of the administrative infrastructure that governed the busy harbour and trading community.

The Island Battery – It was claimed by the English who attacked the Island Battery in 1745 that the French regarded it as the palladium of Louisbourg. No doubt what was meant, in naval speak, was that it was regarded as the defensive bulwark of its inner harbour. Twice attacked, twice silenced, loved or hated, it represented in a startling microcosm all that Louisbourg itself as a military might was and was not. Here too loomed the battle between what was built and what was proposed. What was built was battered twice and finally knocked down beyond any use. What was proposed would have met the same fate – argumentatively just as quickly – though at a far greater financial cost.

Magasin du Roi (King’s Storehouse)

In this echoing L shaped storehouse you may sense the sheer volume of merchandise required by a fortress and its garrison. From here storekeeper André Carrerot had to feed, clothe and equip 700 soldiers, supply powder and shot to the defences, and distribute tools and materials for public works. Clerks and coopers laboured here, and cats kept down the pests. Bins, barrels and tin-lined lockers filled up with flour, salt beef and molasses, while ropes and tools and timber accumulated on the beaten earth that covers an underlying cobblestone pavé to reduce the persistent dampness. This was primarily a garrison store, but in time of crisis the townspeople bought food from the royal stockpiles. Food ran short in 1744 ⁠— the troops were infuriated to see the best of the stock here being sold off to civilians.

The Convent – First on Cape Breton Island, then in exile in France, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame served the people of Louisbourg for many decades. Their aim was always to educate young girls, and in that they were an unqualified success. The Sisters’ achievement was all the more remarkable in light of the many difficulties and hardships they had to overcome.

The story of the Congregation of Notre-Dame at Louisbourg reveals a great deal about the 18th-century fortified town. It also shows how the Sisters’ commitment to duty, through perseverance, led to fulfilment and accomplishment.