2. Temporary Gun Emplacements:

In front of the B.O.P. is the no. 2 Temporary Gun Emplacement. Constructed as a short term base to mount 6” quick fire, breech loading, naval guns. Work on these emplacements began just prior to the outbreak of hostilities on September 1, 1939. By Sept- ember 6, 1939, the no. 1 gun, which had originally graced the decks of “H.M.C.S. Niobe,” was mounted on it’s base. However, it was not until September 9 that either gun was ready for action, and not until September 10 that 415 rounds of armor, piercing shells, and 50 rounds of high explosive shells arrived for use with the guns. During this time, work progressed in the permanent emplacements which can be seen in front of, and to the left of the no. 2 temporary gun emplacement.

3. The Underground:
To the left of no. 2 Temporary Gun Emplacement, you will notice one of the two main stairwells which lead to the under- ground bunkers of the fort. On descending no. 1 stairwell, you will find the machine shop; the largest room on this level. This machine shop would be used by the fortress’s engineers to do any repairs necessary to fort equipment. The smaller room has not yet been identified. On the lower level lie the ammunition bunkers. From here the guns were supplied in case of action. At the far end of no. 1 bunker, you will see the base of an elevator shaft by which shells and cartridges were transported to the gun level by a “dredger” type shell lift. To the right of the elevator, you will see a small hatchway leading back some 30 feet to a ladder. This was the no. 1 escape vent which would provide an exit for the fort’s personnel in case of fire. Traveling back along the second level hallway to the stairwells, you will find yourself in a high vaulted area. If you look up you will notice a square opening overhead. This is the main ammunition elevator shaft which was used to transport ammunitions to the lower levels for storage as well as to supply the machine shop on the first level.

4. The Permanent Gun Emplacements:
Upon emerging for the no. 1 stairwell you will see to your left the no. 1 gun emplacement. This emplacement was completed on January 31, 1941. Its 6’ gun was mounted shortly after this date. The 6’ gun continued to be the fort’s main armament until 1944 when the ordinance was charged over to the newer 4’ duplex or twin gun. This gun stayed in service until October of 1956; when the fort was dismantled.

5. Gun Watch and Artillery Stores:
To the right of the gun deck, you will find the gun watch room and artillery stores. Used to store tools and some parts guns, the artillery store room was an important part of the fort complex. The gun watch room was the temporary quarters of the gun’s crew while on duty, and provided an area to rest and relax. Their time would be filled by playing cards, chess, and reading or writing letters. Bunks were provided for the night crews as well as a potbellied stove for heating during the winter or on chilly nights. Spend a few moments and picture this room as it might have appeared in 1942. The bunks made up, kettle on the stove, and the announcer on the radio reading the lastest news from war torn Europe.

6. The Powerhouse:
Located to the rear of no. 2 gun emplacement, the fort powerhouse was responsible for the electrical needs of the main fort complex in the event of enemy attack. Two Gardiner-Pat Croft diesels were paired with two General Electric generators to provide 118 volts to run ammo lifts, lights, and other equipment.

7. Stopping Gun and Bren Emplacements:
Moved to Fort Petrie last in the war, the 6 pounder Hotchkiss was used as a stopping gun and located some 20 yards west of no. 2 gun emplacement. In its capacity as a stopping gun, its duty was to fire a warning shot across the bows of any ship attempting to enter the harbour without having been first cleared by the Ex-Vic of examination vessel at the entrance of Sydney Harbour. As well as the 6 pounder there were, at strategic positions on the fort grounds, a number of smaller caliber guns for use in the event of an assault from the sea. Along with small arms such as the soldier’s 303 Enfield and officer’s Smith & Westons, there were 2 Vickers heavy machine guns and 2 Bren light machine guns. To the left of no. 2 gun emplacement and about 100ft. west, remains of the Bren gun can be seen. This is the sole surviving example of a light machine gun emplacement at Fort Petrie.

8. The Search Lights:
Walking toward the beach you will learn why this site was chosen for Fort Petrie. This view is unrestricted in either direction and provides a clear venue for out next subject; the search lights. At 8,000,000 candle power, the Coast Artillery Search Lights (C.A.S.L.), had a range of 16,209 yards; 9.21 miles, in good weather, and were used to illuminate the harbour at night. This was to deter any surface raider who might dare to attack the harbour under the cover of darkness. Manned by 4-5 men, each emplacement provided its own electricity and was connected to the B.O.P. by telephone as well as an alarm system. From their exposed positions on the cliff, these men were the night eyes of the artillery in all sorts of weather. Duty in the emplacements may have been a pleasure during the summer months, but it takes very little imagination to picture a cold January night in these conditions.

9. The C.D.X. Tower:

Although this structure no longer stands on the site of Fort Petrie, its historical significance to Fort Petrie as well as its contribution to artillery radar demands mention. Standing on the present site of the parking lot, the C.D.X. Tower contained state of the art radar and communications equipment which would, in later years, provide an excellent training base for east-coast artillery men. With the eventual phasing out of the coast artillery forts, as well as Fort Petrie, in 1956 the fortifications on this site fell into disrepair. By 1968, the C.D.X. Tower was declared a danger to the public and was destroyed by the 45th Engineer Sqn. (Sydney) with the aid of the 2nd Field Sqn. (Gagetown).

The Fort Petrie Historic Site