Halifax Warden of the North
Thomas H. Raddall
I'm reading an e-book version Goodreads doesn't know exists offered by the internet archive. Found it 6 months back and have just now gotten around to reading.
Interesting learning the background to place names. George Dunk was Earl of Halifax.
The treaty that gave Louisbourg back to the French gave the English assurance that the French Court would no longer harbour Bonnie Prince Charlie and a port in India. So much for their concern about North America. The connection with Charles Stuart was new to me. The Battle field at Culloden was a recent memory.
The founding of Halifax was the direct result of the need to counteract the threat posed by the French. The New Englanders who had captured Lousibourg were incensed. The first settlers of Halifax were the rabble of London whose chief interest was the promise of a year's provisions, not the prospect of labour clearing the townsite and building the town.
There is a distinct lack of arable land in the Halifax area for the growing of food and always has been. Any local springs have long since been destroyed.
The military, army and navy, have long been the lifeblood and bane of life for the residents of Halifax. Interference from across the pond always a factor and Britain's wars with France a continuing threat. When Britain zeroed in on Naval power press gangs became a constant irritant. Any able bodied male was at risk. Last I knew for a fee the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Halifax would impress you into the Navy. Though you would not today regain consciousness at sea.
Since the jails were the first to be emptied your fellow crew members were less than savoury.
It feels ironic to be reading about the US seeking to make Canada the 51st state at a time when Trump is making similar noises.
My maternal Grandfather got his Fenian Money but was never called upon to offer defence.
Confederation led to the economic decline of Nova Scotia in particular as Central Canada demanded trade restrictions with New England and flooded the province with their cheaper goods.
Fishermen formerly landed their catches in Boston, dropped over t0 the isles for Rum and ran the blockade to land it home.
My great-granfather's Boston Ansonian Clock still keeps time when I remember to wind it. My mother's ancient relatives came home in Summer from Boston, Mass. Just as my generation return from Ontario.
Halifax has ever had a love/hate relationship with the military, the navy in particular for much of its history a British Navy. When in port navy personnel outnumbered the civilian population many times over. Fresh from months at sea sailors sought the twin boons of grog shops and bordellos. The Halifax Explosion of 1917 was even studied by the Manhattan Project. The 1945 Bedford Magazine fire had the potential to blow Halifax off the face of the earth. VE Day caused a riot Halifax 60 police officers could do nothing to quell.
Modern warfare rendered Halifax system of forts museum pieces. Streets laid out for riders on horseback were not built for the motor car and the peninsula has only two exits to the countryside beyond.
Communist inspired Seaman's International Union destroyed the Canadian Merchant Marine and it has never recovered.
Confined to its peninsula the city has nowhere to go but up and the harbour today is barely visible from the Citadel which has never fired a shot in anger.
