History Browser

After working with wind tunnels in university, Gerald Bull is developing ways to use a gun to launch a missile.

Dr. Gerald Bull was like a figure in a spy novel, designing arms for some of the world's harshest regimes. With no shortage of possible enemies, he died at the hands of an unknown assassin. But the Canadian-born artillery expert was also a brilliant scientist with a dream: to launch a satellite with a giant gun.

Gustavus Nicolls was the designer of the Halifax Citadel, as well as Fort Lennox (Île-aux-Noix, Quebec). He commanded the Corps of Royal Engineers in Canada from 1815 to 1837. This portrait of circa 1813-1824 is attributed to his wife. (Parks Canada)

Miniature portrait of Captain John Montresor. Between 1758 and 1760, Montresor was present at Louisbourg, the siege of Quebec, and the capitulation of Montreal. Includes access to descriptive archival record for the artwork.

The site at Coteau-du-Lac represented a major point of transit for British military logistics efforts. Between 1781 and 1814, the army developed large-scale infrastructures on the site, which testify to the importance the colonial authorities attached to improving and protecting transportation and communications along the route linking Montréal and Kingston.

Listing of films looking at various aspects of enginneering as it applies to Canada and her armed forces. The subjects of the films include recruiting of engineers for the Armed Forces, how military engineers construct bridges and airfields, and the affect these constructs have on Canada and its more isolated provinces.

The Fraser River gold rush, starting in 1857, brought changes to the Pacific coast. The flood of American prospectors prompted the British government to take over the region from the Hudson's Bay Company. Royal Engineers were sent to survey the region, especially the border.

The United States and Great Britain signed the Rush-Bagot Treaty in 1817 and peace settled between Canada and United States. Despite this agreement, both sides remained wary and built defensive installations to facilitate the transport of troops and supplies in preparation for possible future disputes.

This half-tone print from 'The Dominion Illustrated' of 1891 was based on silhouette portraits claimed to be of Colonel John By. To date, no completely authenticated portrait in known.

The most expensive part of the British defence works built in Canada during the 1820s and 1830s was the Rideau Canal, which connected the Ottawa River with Lake Ontario. The huge engineering project cost more than £1.000,000 instead of the £169,000 budgeted at the start.