Barrett Battery
 | This article relies on a single source. (June 2026) |
| Barrett Battery | |
|---|---|
| Near Prince Rupert in Canada | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Gun battery |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 54°14′28″N 130°20′02″W / 54.24111°N 130.33389°W |
Barrett Battery was located at the foot of Mount Hayes at the entrance to Prince Rupert Harbour. It was the principal World War II counter-bombardment battery established to defend the Port of Prince Rupert.
History
[edit]Under the 1937 "Interim Plan," Barrett Point was equipped with three 6-inch naval guns to protect the strategically important port and Canadian National Railway terminus, while accompanying batteries at Frederick Point and, later, Dundas Point provided close defence. Although the construction of emplacements progressed rapidly, the battery, like other Pacific coast defences, was hampered by delays in obtaining modern armament and equipment because of competing priorities on the Atlantic coast and shortages in Britain.[1]
The fort had 3 gun positions which were first equipped with Mk 12 6" anti-aircraft guns on Mk 7 mounts, later replaced by 3x 6" Mk 24 guns two on Mk5 mounts and one on a Mk5 mount. In addition a 6 pounder Hotchkiss quick firing gun was mounted, as well as 2x 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns. The guns of this fort and the others were controlled by a director station behind and above the centre gun position. Ammunition was stored in an underground magazine accessed by an electrical hoist for each gun. Behind the main battery protected by the hill was hardened generator room and other support buildings. Two searchlight towers front the fort along the shoreline. Bearings from these lights would be fed to the director for fire control. An observation post was established above the fort on top of Mt Hayes.
The guns were manned by the Northern British Columbia heavy battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, later designated the 102nd Coast Battery of the 17th North British Columbia Coast Regiment. It's unclear as to when the battery ceased operations, as war progressed and the threat of attacked diminished, the soldiers manning the defences were drawn down to serve elsewhere. It would appear the guns were removed some time between Sept 1945 and the end of 1946.
Today
[edit]
Much of the Battery fortifications are overgrown but can be seen on foot. Caution is advised as there are unmarked openings and entering the bunker should only be done with the proper equipment.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Hunter, T. Murray (Winter 1975–1976). "Coast Defense in British Columbia, 1939–1941: Attitudes & Realities". BC Studies (28). University of British Columbia: 3–28. Archived from the original on 2018-04-19. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
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