Halifax - Prince of Wales Martello Tower National Historic Site

Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site of Canada with a round stone tower was built by Prince Edward in 1796. It was the first of its kind in North America, the prototype "Martello Tower". Prince Edward adapted the shape of a similar structure on the island of Corsica which had proved virtually impregnable. The basic idea was to combine soldiers' accommodation, a store-house and cannon mountings in a unit capable of defending itself, surrounded by immensely thick stone walls, with access only by a retractable ladder to the first floor. Canada subsequently had a great many of these towers which became redundant from about 1870 with the advent of steam engines, metal hulls and improved ship's artillery.

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