Canadian Military History Gateway
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Glossary
Select a letter to browse an alphabetical listing of terms and definitions.
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Fortress
City or town by fortifications such as walls with bastions, ideally with a citadel to act as a redoubt. The towns of Quebec, Montreal and Louisbourg in New France were surrounded by substantial walls but did not have imposing citadels. Quebec did have the governor general's residence, the Chateau Saint-Louis, in a commanding position to act as redoubt. The fortifications of Quebec were strengthened after the War of 1812, and today remains the only fortified city in North America. Louisbourg was taken by the British in 1758 and destroyed two years later, and the fortifications of Montreal were demolished by 1810.
Frigate
Fast, medium-sized warship, especially prevalent in sailing navies. The first frigate built in Canada was the 26-gun Castor built for the French navy at the Québec royal shipyard and launched in 1744. In the late 19th century navies, frigates were mostly replaced by cruisers and destroyers, but came back into use with 20th century navies, usually for specialized duties. Frigates in the Canadian navy have been devoted primarily to submarine detection and pursuit.
