Post by larryc1 on Aug 25, 2023 17:08:35 GMT
The Martello Tower as a coastal defense was first developed in Corsica in 1565. (It can be seen here - 42.715003 9.256968 ) The original name was 'Mortella' and because of its success it was quickly adapted around the world. Canada originally had fourteen of these towers: Kingston posesses four of them. (They were adapted to the Canadian climate (snow) by adding a conical removable roof.)
Each tower was armed with a 32 pound Blomefeld gun on a circular track which allowed a 360 degree field of fire. In addition the armament also included a number of carronades to deal with land based assaults. A hot shot furnace was included to deal with wooden ships.
By mid-19th century rifled guns were beginning to make Martello towers obsolete.
The two Branch Ditch towers marked are not technically Martellos but a smaller version for point defense.
Martello Towers in Kingston Ontario..kmz (1.64 KB)
Each tower was armed with a 32 pound Blomefeld gun on a circular track which allowed a 360 degree field of fire. In addition the armament also included a number of carronades to deal with land based assaults. A hot shot furnace was included to deal with wooden ships.
By mid-19th century rifled guns were beginning to make Martello towers obsolete.
The two Branch Ditch towers marked are not technically Martellos but a smaller version for point defense.
Martello Towers in Kingston Ontario..kmz (1.64 KB)