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Signal Hill, St. John's

Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Mostly a National Historic Site, adjacent to is the largely encaved museum of Johnson Geo Centre and its associated park. The highest point, Ladies' Lookout, above Cabot Tower, is 167 metres (548 ft) high. The community of The Battery lies on the slope of the hill overlooking the Harbour. On 12 December 1901, the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received by Guglielmo Marconi, to its abandoned fever hospital.

Signal Hill
LocationSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Coordinates47°34′11″N 52°40′55″W / 47.56972°N 52.68194°W / 47.56972; -52.68194Coordinates: 47°34′11″N 52°40′55″W / 47.56972°N 52.68194°W / 47.56972; -52.68194
Governing bodyParks Canada
WebsiteSignal Hill National Historic Site

Due to its strategic placement overlooking the Narrows, the only entrance to the harbor, fortifications date back to the mid 17th century.

Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador has a campus on the lower slopes, in the former Battery Hotel, and is also now the owner of the Johnson Geo Centre.

History

 
Cabot Tower on Signal Hill
 
Map of St. John's (1869), The Harbour, fortifications Fort William and Fort Townsend

The final battle of the Seven Years' War in North America was fought in 1762 at the Battle of Signal Hill, in which the French surrendered St. John's to a British force under the command of Lt. Colonel William Amherst. Lt. Colonel Amherst renamed what was then known as "The Lookout" as "Signal Hill," because of the signalling that took place upon its summit from its flagmast. Flag communication between land and sea would take place there from the 17th century until 1960.

Signal Hill was designated as the citadel for St. John's during its first construction period in the late 18th century.

During the 19th century, Signal Hill was manned specifically during the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War. A second construction period in Signal Hill's history saw the construction of the Queen's Battery Barracks, which has been completely restored to the period of 1862.

Construction on Cabot Tower began in 1897 to commemorate both Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's landfall which took place in 1497. The building was declared officially open in 1900. The practical uses of the building were flag mast signalling, and a Marconi wireless station which has since been moved to St. John's International Airport.

On 12 December 1901, the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received by Guglielmo Marconi in the abandoned fever and diphtheria hospital, which has since been destroyed by fire.[1] The transmission, in Morse code, originated from his Poldhu Wireless Station, Cornwall, UK.

The United States maintained anti-aircraft guns on the hill during World War II. A battery of two 8-inch M1888 railway guns was emplaced there on 1 May 1941, but relocated to Red Cliff circa 1943.[2] Signal Hill was also one of three prepared sites for a battery of two 155 mm guns on Panama mounts.[3][4]

Signal Hill National Historic Site

 
Directional signs on Signal Hill

Signal Hill is a National Historic Site.[5][6]

Signal Hill Tattoo

 
Reenactors dressed in uniform of the Newfoundland Regiment c 1795 at Signal Hill Tattoo

The Signal Hill Tattoo showcases the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot from 1812, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band from 1795, and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of 1917. Wearing full military uniforms as per the period, the soldiers give a display by each section and portray the drills and battle tactics of the time. The Artillery provide an exhibition of cannon fire to add to the program.

Cabot Tower

 
Marconi watching associates raise kite antenna at Signal Hill, December 1901

Cabot Tower, located at the top of the hill, features exhibits about Guglielmo Marconi and the wireless station that operated in the tower. There is a gift shop, and an amateur radio station VO1AA, which may be operated by visiting amateur radio operators in the summer months. It is sponsored by the Society Of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs. An active amateur radio repeater, VO1AAA 146.790+, is located inside the building and is operational year round. A tourist information radio station, CJSH-FM, also broadcasts from the Signal Hill site.

Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is open during the tourist season and features interactive exhibits, a film about the site's military and communications history, and the history of St. John's, along with a cafe.

Trails

The North Head Trail is located along the edge of St John's Harbour and the sea. The Lady's Lookout Trail descends steeply from Lady's Lookout, above Cabot Tower, the highest point of Signal Hill, to the Burma Road Trail. There is also a short trail to the summit of Gibbet Hill.[7]

The Burma Road trail, built by American servicemen who manned coastal batteries on Signal Hill during the Second World War, runs from George's Pond, Signal Hill Road to Cuckold's Cove, close to Quidi Vidi. Along it there were barracks.[8]

There are Eight looped trails in the Johnson GEO Park with informative outdoor displays. Stoneworks and panels explain the local geological formations, botanical species, and traditional uses of stone. Completed in 2007, the park surrounds the Geo Centre and includes Deadman's Pond acres the road. Both the Geo Park's and Signal National Historic Park's trails are linked to the Grand Concourse walkway system.

 
View from Signal Hill

Climate

Climate data for Signal Hill
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8)
15.5
(59.9)
15.0
(59.0)
22.0
(71.6)
25.0
(77.0)
29.0
(84.2)
29.5
(85.1)
31.5
(88.7)
28.5
(83.3)
23.0
(73.4)
19.0
(66.2)
14.0
(57.2)
31.5
(88.7)
Average high °C (°F) −0.5
(31.1)
−0.9
(30.4)
1.5
(34.7)
5.3
(41.5)
10.6
(51.1)
15.4
(59.7)
19.8
(67.6)
20.2
(68.4)
16.1
(61.0)
10.6
(51.1)
6.0
(42.8)
1.5
(34.7)
8.8
(47.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.2
(24.4)
−4.7
(23.5)
−2.0
(28.4)
2.0
(35.6)
6.4
(43.5)
10.9
(51.6)
15.3
(59.5)
16.2
(61.2)
12.5
(54.5)
7.5
(45.5)
3.1
(37.6)
−1.5
(29.3)
5.1
(41.2)
Average low °C (°F) −7.9
(17.8)
−8.4
(16.9)
−5.4
(22.3)
−1.3
(29.7)
2.1
(35.8)
6.3
(43.3)
10.9
(51.6)
12.2
(54.0)
8.9
(48.0)
4.4
(39.9)
0.1
(32.2)
−4.5
(23.9)
1.4
(34.5)
Record low °C (°F) −20.0
(−4.0)
−23.0
(−9.4)
−23.0
(−9.4)
−11.5
(11.3)
−10.0
(14.0)
−2.0
(28.4)
3.0
(37.4)
4.0
(39.2)
0.0
(32.0)
−10.0
(14.0)
−12.5
(9.5)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−26.0
(−14.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 109.7
(4.32)
106.8
(4.20)
98.0
(3.86)
104.1
(4.10)
88.4
(3.48)
83.3
(3.28)
82.7
(3.26)
84.4
(3.32)
101.4
(3.99)
133.0
(5.24)
126.7
(4.99)
123.2
(4.85)
1,241.7
(48.89)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 50.8
(2.00)
51.9
(2.04)
64.3
(2.53)
85.3
(3.36)
85.8
(3.38)
83.3
(3.28)
82.7
(3.26)
84.4
(3.32)
101.4
(3.99)
133.0
(5.24)
112.7
(4.44)
72.2
(2.84)
1,007.9
(39.68)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 58.9
(23.2)
54.9
(21.6)
33.7
(13.3)
18.9
(7.4)
2.6
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
14.0
(5.5)
50.9
(20.0)
233.9
(92.1)
Source: Environment Canada[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Atlantic Cable. IEEE Milestone Plaque
  2. ^ Signal Hill Battery at FortWiki.com
  3. ^ Fort Pepperrell at FortWiki.com
  4. ^ Harbor Defenses of St. John's at FortWiki.com
  5. ^ Parks Canada.Signal Hill National Historic Site 2004-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Signal Hill. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Gibbet Hill", Parks Canada.
  8. ^ Parks Canada
  9. ^ "Signal Hill, St. John's". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved September 1, 2015.

Bibliography

  • Zierler, Amy, and Cam Mustard, Signal Hill: An Illustrated History, 1982, reprint 1997, Newfoundland Historic Parks Association, St. John's.
  • Canadian Heritage - Parks Canada, Welcome to Signal Hill National Historic Site brochure, undated (2000 ?).

External links

  • Signal Hill National Historic Site - Parks Canada
  • Atlas of Canada Relief Map

signal, hill, john, signal, hill, hill, which, overlooks, city, john, newfoundland, labrador, canada, mostly, national, historic, site, adjacent, largely, encaved, museum, johnson, centre, associated, park, highest, point, ladies, lookout, above, cabot, tower,. Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St John s Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Mostly a National Historic Site adjacent to is the largely encaved museum of Johnson Geo Centre and its associated park The highest point Ladies Lookout above Cabot Tower is 167 metres 548 ft high The community of The Battery lies on the slope of the hill overlooking the Harbour On 12 December 1901 the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received by Guglielmo Marconi to its abandoned fever hospital Signal HillLocationSt John s Newfoundland and Labrador CanadaCoordinates47 34 11 N 52 40 55 W 47 56972 N 52 68194 W 47 56972 52 68194 Coordinates 47 34 11 N 52 40 55 W 47 56972 N 52 68194 W 47 56972 52 68194Governing bodyParks CanadaWebsiteSignal Hill National Historic SiteNational Historic Site of CanadaDue to its strategic placement overlooking the Narrows the only entrance to the harbor fortifications date back to the mid 17th century Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador has a campus on the lower slopes in the former Battery Hotel and is also now the owner of the Johnson Geo Centre Contents 1 History 2 Signal Hill National Historic Site 2 1 Signal Hill Tattoo 2 2 Cabot Tower 2 3 Visitor Centre 3 Trails 4 Climate 5 See also 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksHistory Edit Cabot Tower on Signal Hill Map of St John s 1869 The Harbour fortifications Fort William and Fort Townsend The final battle of the Seven Years War in North America was fought in 1762 at the Battle of Signal Hill in which the French surrendered St John s to a British force under the command of Lt Colonel William Amherst Lt Colonel Amherst renamed what was then known as The Lookout as Signal Hill because of the signalling that took place upon its summit from its flagmast Flag communication between land and sea would take place there from the 17th century until 1960 Signal Hill was designated as the citadel for St John s during its first construction period in the late 18th century During the 19th century Signal Hill was manned specifically during the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War A second construction period in Signal Hill s history saw the construction of the Queen s Battery Barracks which has been completely restored to the period of 1862 Construction on Cabot Tower began in 1897 to commemorate both Queen Victoria s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and the 400th anniversary of John Cabot s landfall which took place in 1497 The building was declared officially open in 1900 The practical uses of the building were flag mast signalling and a Marconi wireless station which has since been moved to St John s International Airport On 12 December 1901 the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received by Guglielmo Marconi in the abandoned fever and diphtheria hospital which has since been destroyed by fire 1 The transmission in Morse code originated from his Poldhu Wireless Station Cornwall UK The United States maintained anti aircraft guns on the hill during World War II A battery of two 8 inch M1888 railway guns was emplaced there on 1 May 1941 but relocated to Red Cliff circa 1943 2 Signal Hill was also one of three prepared sites for a battery of two 155 mm guns on Panama mounts 3 4 Signal Hill National Historic Site Edit Directional signs on Signal Hill Signal Hill is a National Historic Site 5 6 Signal Hill Tattoo Edit Reenactors dressed in uniform of the Newfoundland Regiment c 1795 at Signal Hill Tattoo The Signal Hill Tattoo showcases the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot from 1812 the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band from 1795 and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of 1917 Wearing full military uniforms as per the period the soldiers give a display by each section and portray the drills and battle tactics of the time The Artillery provide an exhibition of cannon fire to add to the program Cabot Tower Edit Marconi watching associates raise kite antenna at Signal Hill December 1901 Cabot Tower located at the top of the hill features exhibits about Guglielmo Marconi and the wireless station that operated in the tower There is a gift shop and an amateur radio station VO1AA which may be operated by visiting amateur radio operators in the summer months It is sponsored by the Society Of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs An active amateur radio repeater VO1AAA 146 790 is located inside the building and is operational year round A tourist information radio station CJSH FM also broadcasts from the Signal Hill site Visitor Centre Edit The visitor centre is open during the tourist season and features interactive exhibits a film about the site s military and communications history and the history of St John s along with a cafe Trails EditThe North Head Trail is located along the edge of St John s Harbour and the sea The Lady s Lookout Trail descends steeply from Lady s Lookout above Cabot Tower the highest point of Signal Hill to the Burma Road Trail There is also a short trail to the summit of Gibbet Hill 7 The Burma Road trail built by American servicemen who manned coastal batteries on Signal Hill during the Second World War runs from George s Pond Signal Hill Road to Cuckold s Cove close to Quidi Vidi Along it there were barracks 8 There are Eight looped trails in the Johnson GEO Park with informative outdoor displays Stoneworks and panels explain the local geological formations botanical species and traditional uses of stone Completed in 2007 the park surrounds the Geo Centre and includes Deadman s Pond acres the road Both the Geo Park s and Signal National Historic Park s trails are linked to the Grand Concourse walkway system View from Signal HillClimate EditClimate data for Signal HillMonth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 16 0 60 8 15 5 59 9 15 0 59 0 22 0 71 6 25 0 77 0 29 0 84 2 29 5 85 1 31 5 88 7 28 5 83 3 23 0 73 4 19 0 66 2 14 0 57 2 31 5 88 7 Average high C F 0 5 31 1 0 9 30 4 1 5 34 7 5 3 41 5 10 6 51 1 15 4 59 7 19 8 67 6 20 2 68 4 16 1 61 0 10 6 51 1 6 0 42 8 1 5 34 7 8 8 47 8 Daily mean C F 4 2 24 4 4 7 23 5 2 0 28 4 2 0 35 6 6 4 43 5 10 9 51 6 15 3 59 5 16 2 61 2 12 5 54 5 7 5 45 5 3 1 37 6 1 5 29 3 5 1 41 2 Average low C F 7 9 17 8 8 4 16 9 5 4 22 3 1 3 29 7 2 1 35 8 6 3 43 3 10 9 51 6 12 2 54 0 8 9 48 0 4 4 39 9 0 1 32 2 4 5 23 9 1 4 34 5 Record low C F 20 0 4 0 23 0 9 4 23 0 9 4 11 5 11 3 10 0 14 0 2 0 28 4 3 0 37 4 4 0 39 2 0 0 32 0 10 0 14 0 12 5 9 5 26 0 14 8 26 0 14 8 Average precipitation mm inches 109 7 4 32 106 8 4 20 98 0 3 86 104 1 4 10 88 4 3 48 83 3 3 28 82 7 3 26 84 4 3 32 101 4 3 99 133 0 5 24 126 7 4 99 123 2 4 85 1 241 7 48 89 Average rainfall mm inches 50 8 2 00 51 9 2 04 64 3 2 53 85 3 3 36 85 8 3 38 83 3 3 28 82 7 3 26 84 4 3 32 101 4 3 99 133 0 5 24 112 7 4 44 72 2 2 84 1 007 9 39 68 Average snowfall cm inches 58 9 23 2 54 9 21 6 33 7 13 3 18 9 7 4 2 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 5 5 50 9 20 0 233 9 92 1 Source Environment Canada 9 See also EditUnited Irish Uprising in NewfoundlandReferences Edit Atlantic Cable IEEE Milestone Plaque Signal Hill Battery at FortWiki com Fort Pepperrell at FortWiki com Harbor Defenses of St John s at FortWiki com Parks Canada Signal Hill National Historic Site Archived 2004 10 11 at the Wayback Machine Signal Hill Canadian Register of Historic Places Retrieved 5 August 2012 Gibbet Hill Parks Canada Parks Canada Signal Hill St John s Canadian Climate Normals 1981 2010 in English and French Environment Canada Retrieved September 1 2015 Bibliography EditZierler Amy and Cam Mustard Signal Hill An Illustrated History 1982 reprint 1997 Newfoundland Historic Parks Association St John s Canadian Heritage Parks Canada Welcome to Signal Hill National Historic Site brochure undated 2000 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Signal Hill Newfoundland and Labrador Signal Hill National Historic Site Parks Canada Atlas of Canada Relief Map Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Signal Hill St John 27s amp oldid 1135194019, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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