Description of Historic Place

Rising dramatically from the water, Shoal Martello Tower sits offshore in Kingston Harbour. A single entrance doorway and small windows pierce the cylindrical stone tower. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Shoal Martello Tower is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Shoal Martello Tower is closely associated with the defence of British North America and Canada in response to the Oregon Crisis in 1846-1847. The structure was built to defend Kingston Harbour.

Architectural Value:
The Shoal Martello Tower is a very good example of a 19th-century military structure. Strongly built and of massive proportions, it is the only example in Canada surrounded by water. The most significant design aspects are the level of economy and efficiency attained in terms of function, materials, durability and low maintenance. As an example of the last phase of Martello tower design in the British territories, the tower possesses excellent functional design.

Environmental Value:
The Shoal Martello Tower maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and is compatible with the character of Kingston harbour. Located on a shoal it is highly visible throughout the area. The structure is a landmark to local people and to visitors.

Sources: Martha Phemister, Shoal Martello Tower, Kingston Harbour, Kingston, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-077; Shoal Martello Tower, Shoal Martello Tower, Kingston Harbour, Kingston, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 88-077.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Shoal Martello Tower should be respected, for example:

Its functional, military defence design, aesthetic qualities and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple geometric massing of the cylindrical tower topped by a shallow, conical snow roof that covers the gun platform; the exterior walls built of tightly fitting limestone blocks which incline slightly inwards as it nears the top; the massive double wall construction that contains stairs and vents; the small windows and entrance on the second level; the brick lined, ventilated powder magazine on the lower level; the circular, bombproof, barrel vault ceiling of the powder magazine and the second floor barracks.

The Shoal Martello Tower, that maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, is compatible with the present character of its harbour setting and is a regional landmark, as evidenced by: its ongoing relationship to its water site; its high visibility from the Kingston harbour area, and its role as a point of reference to the harbour for locals and visitors.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Shoal Martello Tower is one of a group built in Kingston in response to the Oregon Crisis during 1846-47. It is located 91 m. from the shore of the downtown area on a small shoal, the only example in Canada surrounded by water. In total sixteen martello towers were constructed by the British in defence of North America, ten of which survive. Environment Canada is the custodian of the tower. See FHBRO Report 88-77.


Reason for Designation

The Shoal Martello Tower was designated Recognized because of its functional design, particularly the excellent quality of masonry construction, its siting in the water, which has remained unchanged, and to a lesser extent its association with British defence fortifications in Canada.

The architectural design of Shoal Tower represents the last phase and culmination of martello tower design in British territories. Its design is most closely linked with the English South Coast tower. The most significant design aspects are the level of economy and efficiency attained in terms of function, materials, durability and low maintenance; the particularly Canadian adaptation of a conical snow roof added a few years after construction; and its siting in the water.


Character Defining Elements

This designation applies to the entire building and its setting.

The heritage character of the Shoal Martello Tower is defined by its functional elements (military engineering), aesthetic qualities, siting in the water, proximity to the downtown area, and its broader context of British military fortifications in Kingston.

Of greatest significance are the military engineering features (functional elements) which represent the culmination of the final phase of British martello tower design, post 1805. The aesthetic quality is derived mainly from the adept synthesis of the functional criteria. No future use proposals have been identified but it is recommended that this building be conserved as a military engineering artifact.

The form of the tower is cylindrical with the exterior walls tapering in slightly at the top and a shallow conical roof over the gun platform, the roof being discarded during battle by means of a central peg and cable system. Inside are two stories. The lower level contains what was once a state-of-the-art powder magazine designed without metal to prevent sparks and with ventilation and a brick lining to prevent dampness. The ceiling of the second floor barracks, also the gun platform above, was intended to be bomb-proof by making use of a three-foot thick circular barrel vault, the wedge shaped stones of the arch preventing collapse under attack.

The plan is intricate and intact and should be maintained. The exterior perimeter of the wall is slightly elliptical but inside it is circular, resulting in a thicker wall towards attack from the water but thinner towards the protected land side. As was typical of martello engineering, each stone was dimensioned prior to construction using mathematical calculations to insure an exact and tight fit. On the second floor barracks level, facing the protected land side, are three small windows and the characteristic martello tower door, designed to the height of one man standing on another's shoulders. The massive double wall construction contains stairs and vents. The exterior face is limestone ashlar, quite smooth and unornamented to prevent the enemy from gaining a foothold. It is recommended that the masonry be regularly inspected and maintained because of its marine location.