SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Groupe Atwill-Morin has announced it has been awarded a $5-million contract to restore the Carleton Martello Tower that overlooks the harbour in Saint John, N.B.
Martello towers are small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century, a Nov. 6 release explained.
Construction of the tower at Saint John began in 1813, during the War of 1812. The tower rises to nine metres and it has a cannon platform measuring 15 metres in width at the base. Located west of Saint John in a locale once known as Carleton, the tower housed a gunpowder magazine and barracks for soldiers.
The Carleton Martello remained in use until 1944 and was declared a National Historic Site in 1948.
“A great deal of expertise and attention to detail will be brought to bear on this project. Walls that are nearly two metres thick will be rebuilt or reinforced in some sections and all works will be in keeping with the building’s historical significance,” said Matthew Atwill-Morin, CEO of Groupe Atwill-Morin, in a statement.
“In many cases, stones will be removed, numbered, cleaned and replaced in one large masonry jigsaw operation.”
The firm said locally sourced stone will be used to repair or to reinforce irregular structural shapes and volumes.
Work is due to be completed by Dec. 24, 2020. In future the tower will serve as a military museum.
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