Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada

Learning Experiences

On line guided tour

A - THE COURTYARD - This was originally paved with cobblestones. It was covered with gravel in the second phase of re-construction during the 1950s.

B - ROUGH STONE DWELLING HOUSE - Originally a two-storey building, covered over with a flat lead roof. It was a common practice at that time to use lead sheeting for roof material. The dwelling house was approximately 100 feet long (30 m), 30 feet wide (9.14 m) and 17 feet high (5.18 m). The functions of C, D, and E, indicated on the above diagram are described below.

C - GOVERNOR'S QUARTERS - This private accommodation reflected the governor's status.

D - STOREHOUSE - Trade goods, furs and some food stuffs were stored here. This is where the clerks and factors worked.

E - MEN'S QUARTERS AND BARRACKS - The second floor was the sleeping area.

F - STONE MASON'S WORKSHOP - The symbol of the stonemason guild is partly covered over by orange lichen, but can be seen carved into a stone on the inner wall of the workshop. It shows the mason's two principal tools : the square and the compass. The "G" reflects the masonic belief that God is the very centre of life.

G - COOPER AND CARPENTER WORKSHOPS - Coopers made casks and barrels. A joiner made small furniture items and was lighter work than carpentry. A shipwright specialized in woodwork related to ship building. Shipwrights and joiners worked with the coopers and carpenters.

G - TAILOR'S ROOM - The tailor repaired clothing and possibly fashioned "fancy dress" for the officers. The "G" appears twice in the diagram, either workshop may have been situated here.

H - BLACKSMITH SHOP - The armourer and tool maker laboured here. This room has two hearths, and may have been used as a bakery, too.

P - POWDER MAGAZINE - Recent archaeological studies revealed a red brick path leading to this underground area.

S - THESE STORAGE AREAS were underground and probably included a food cold storage or root cellar.

Cannon Diagram Information

1 - TRUNNION - supporting cylinder on each side of a cannon. The right one bears the gunfounder's mark. One broken trunnion renders a gun useless. A cannon with a trunnion knocked off could not be raised and its recoil was uncontrollable because the gun would swing wildly in a horizontal arc away from the remaining trunnion.

2 - CARRIAGE - The wooden structure that supports cannon. At Prince of Wales Fort these were placed on wooden planks.

3 - MOORING RINGS - The rings that were used to move the cannon were attached to the cannon by the mooring rings.

4 - CANNON BARREL

5 - ROYAL CIPHER (illus. above)- The stamp that represents the monarch who reigned when the piece was cast.

6 - MUZZLE - The muzzle determines the calibre of the shot.

7 - CASCABLE - One of the five major components that make up the barrel. The black powder, wad and cannon ball are packed against this.

8 - PARAPET - A low defensive wall of stone that concealed and protected troops and weapons.

9 - EMBRASURE - This is an opening in a parapet, widening from within for the placement of a gun or cannon.

10 - RAMPART - This is the accessible area on the top of a defensive wall. Forty cannon are mounted on these ramparts and orginally sat on wooden planking.