Canadian Military History Gateway

Subject > Weapons, Equipment and Fortifications

Title: Attack on Fort Detroit, War of 1812 - The Detroit Bluff - Isaac Brock ...

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Description: From the television series "Canada: A People's History", a description of Brigadier-General Isaac Brock's attack on Fort Detroit, an offense which relied heavily on bluff. General William Hull surrendered the fort without a fight. Site includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.

Site: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Title: Americans Invade Upper Canada in the War of 1812 - Introduction to Ame...

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Description: On October 13, 1812, the garrison at Fort George, on the Niagara River, was awakened by the thunder of heavy guns. Across the river on the American side, Major John Lovett at Fort Grey was doing his best to pound the British defenses to pieces. Their national honour had been shaken by the taking of Detroit two months earlier and now the Americans were responding. This was a full-scale invasion of Upper Canada. From the television series "Canada: A People's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.

Site: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Title: British 'India Pattern' musket, 1797-1839

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Description: The 'India Pattern' was an economy version of the earlier 'Short Land' pattern muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock musket. During the 1790s, the British colonial army in India was increasing rapidly in size, and the new pattern of musket was created as a relatively inexpensive of arming these men. As the French Revolutionary Wars dragged on, the India pattern was adopted for all new production in 1797. These weapons found their way to every continent. The British infantry used them until the late 1830s. The Canadian militia did not replace these weapons until the mid-1850s. (Parks Canada)

Site: National Defence

Title: Britain Captures Fort Mackinac

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Description: When news of war reached Fort St. Joseph in July 1812, its British commander organized an attack on nearby American Fort Mackinac. Taking the Americans by surprise, Captain Roberts captured the fort and won Britain much prestige among the Amerindians in the west.

Site: National Defence

Title: A Technological Transformation

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Description: The invention of the steam-powered ship in 1807 marked the start of a big change in naval warfare. During the War of 1812, the Canadian-built steamship Swiftsure regularly transported British troops between Quebec City and Montreal, far faster than sailing ships could have done.

Site: National Defence

Title: Barracks

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Description: The British garrison in Canada lived almost exclusively in barracks during the 18th and 19th centuries, unlike troops during the earlier French regime. This made British troops a somewhat isolated society within the colony as a whole. The authorities felt that this improved discipline.

Site: National Defence

Title: 32 pounder guns mounted on traversing wooden garrison platforms

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Description: These early 19th century British artillery pieces are mounted on platforms that allow guns to swing in a wide arc and thus follow a moving target such as a ship. These reconstucted carriages are found at the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site near Montreal, Quebec. The fortifications were built to defend the canal lock - the first built in North America.

Site: National Defence

Title: Frigate Engagements

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Description: As well as battles on the Great Lakes, there were engagements on the high seas during the War of 1812. The excellent frigates of the United States Navy fought a number of duels with British ships, winning most of them. Although impressive, these fights had little effect on the war.

Site: National Defence

Title: Weapons

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Description: This section illustrates a selection of firearms and bladed weapons used by British and Canadian military units during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Site: National Defence

Title: The Infantryman's Weapons: His Rifle

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Description: During the period from Confederation to the First World War, the infantryman's rifle had undergone a series of transformations including barrel rifling, breech loading, metal cartridges, smokeless powder, and clip magazines.

Site: National Defence

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