Shroud Gibson

Shroud Gibson

The Fortress of Louisbourg. The tour book said to spend an entire day there. From Baddeck strength is only twenty miles across the Island as the crow flies. The island, however, is divided in half, quartered and chopped by Bras d'Or Sea, an inland sea of salt water with many bays that extends from it. An hour later arrives the visitor center of the Fort. From there you board a bus for two more miles to ride the fortress itself, which sits on a spit of land that enters the Atlantic Ocean. Be careful that you somthing hot, because the temperature in the fortress is about ten to fifteen degrees cooler than in the center visitors.

You're standing at the gate by armed guards in uniforms 18th century requires some rum provide for them during his visit to the fortress. Also explained the rules and regulations on the visit of the fortress. The fortress was founded in 1713 by the French to provide protection to cod fishermen and hunters in the area. In 1744 the civilian population grew to more than 2,500 permanent residents and a garrison numbering about 700. At this time rivaled Boston and Philadelphia in size. Trade between these cities is very broad, Louisbourg salt cod exports, while imports of goods for daily living. The government even tried to lure some of the Acadians to move there to cultivate the land around the area. A few did so with great difficulty. The French knew how to build a magnificent fortress, but chose a miserable place to build it. We were there in perhaps one of the best days of the year. Even with the sun shining, there was a strong breeze. In general, the area is ten to fifteen degrees cooler than the interior and is often shrouded in fog or strong wind. During the winter is a living hell.

What makes the place so remarkable is that there was nothing before the French built the fort in 1713 and after that the English destroyed it in 1760. All that remained were the foundations of buildings and over 8,000 pages of documents held by Frenchmen. These projects include, detailed inventory of houses and gardens of the dead after succession. The records were so thorough that when the Canadian government decided to reconstruct a fifth of the original Louisbourg, were able to do so with impeccable precision. The interior of the buildings, which could not reproduce, they did in the exhibition spaces. There are three restaurants: one for the rich, another for commoners, and a pub for sailors. The soldiers at the fort, could not afford to eat out.

Reenacters demonstrations rifle shooting and shooting guns. Throughout the different people that the buildings in the period costumes explain the contents of the building and the lives of people living in them. There were captains of the military, businessmen, engineers, ship captains, accountants, and the Sisters of Notre Dame girls' school. The Bastian, headquarters, is the second largest building built by the French in North America (the largest is in the Artillery Park in Quebec). There, the governor lived in all its splendor and soldiers stationed in squall. The chapel was used as a church for the community, with four Masses on Sundays.

Two special things we had, while we were there, was the bread, which could be bought at the bakery. Baked daily, you have the option to soldier on rye bread and wheat, white bread of the rich person, or a combination of both. We chose the soldier's bread: $ 2.75 for more than two pounds worth. We nibbled on it all day. One of the reenactors was remarkable. He has portrayed a soldier for over twenty-five years. It looks and ways of Mel Gibson. Not only very competent, but loves her work and has a great time talking with people. If you "tweak" it correctly, there may be a gift for you. He is worth the trip by itself.

About the Author:

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.

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