Exploring ABANDONED Fort Charlotte on Georges Island (Halifax, NS, Canada)

Описание: J-MASS INSTAGRAM: @jmassofficial

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Just east off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the middle of the glistening Halifax Harbour, sits a small, unassuming island, visible from Halifax's waterfront. Known as Georges Island, this island is owned and operated by Parks Canada as one of the many National Historic Sites of Canada, home to the abandoned ruins of Fort Charlotte. Although the island’s earliest fortifications date back to 1750, Fort Charlotte as it stands today was officially completed by British forces in 1798, to defend Halifax Harbour from the French during the French Revolutionary Wars. Named for King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, Fort Charlotte was one of many coastal defenses within the “Halifax Defense Complex”. The fort saw many improvements and expansions throughout the 19th century, particularly during periods of tension with the United States (including the War of 1812 and the American Civil War). By the 1870s, Fort Charlotte saw major renovations, the last to be completed by the British. In 1906, the British Army and Royal Navy officially left Halifax, leaving Georges Island and, in turn, Fort Charlotte to the Government of Canada. Although the fort had decreased in importance through modernizing warfare, it was nevertheless stationed and garrisoned with troops during both World War I and II. In WWI, the island saw massive anti-submarine nets blockade the harbor from German U-boats; and in WWII, the island serviced anti-aircraft defenses. Following the end of the war in 1945, Georges Island would never again be militarized, and became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1965. Today, the island is open to the public via ferry service, and numerous abandoned ruins and remnants of Fort Charlotte and its artillery dot the hilly landscape, offering stunning views of the nearby city skyline.

This was my very first time in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and I absolutely loved it—including visiting Georges Island! The ferry ride to the island was incredible, with gorgeous scenic views of both the city and the harbor. Before we docked, the ferry circled around the island, offering 360-degree views of the entire landmass. I had a blast exploring the ruins left behind on the island, from Fort Charlotte itself, to the vast tunnel system below, to the many brick buildings that dotted the landscape, including the married officers quarters and the forge. There were also many cannons and artillery left behind, pointing out towards the harbor. One thing I appreciated about the island was how educational it was, with informational plaques and exhibits everywhere, detailing the history to curious visitors. If you ever find yourself in Halifax, I’d highly recommend giving this historic fort a visit! The city is home to many abandoned forts and batteries, but this was by far my favorite due to its unique location. This also marks the very first Canadian urban exploration video I’ve filmed for the channel—let me know if you’d like to see more in the future! If you guys liked this video, make sure to stay tuned for more exploration videos all across New England and beyond!

https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/ge...

00:00 J-MASS Intro
00:41 The Ferry to Georges Island
02:18 Introduction to Fort Charlotte
04:03 History of Fort Charlotte
09:47 My Experience at Fort Charlotte
14:21 Outro