PALISADES & FENCES: 
DIMENSIONS AND FINISHES

BY
 ERIC KRAUSE

MARCH 12, 1985

(Fortress of Louisbourg
Report H F 25 1985 01)

MEMO

                                                                                          12  March 1985

Dave Lipton,                                                                      File 8440-1
Head, Eng. & Works 

Palisades & Fences: Dimensions and Finishes

The following survey resulted from an attempt by your section to determine the range of finished tops (types and dimensions) on the site. The idea was to stockpile piquets in various ranges to simplify the maintenance programme and achieve cost saving benefits. HAFLR85P3, which illustrates a number of "as designed" fence tops, I assume, identifies what these ranges are to be.

My survey was more ambitious in that I wanted to examine the background decisions, recommendations and false starts which produced not only a range of tops but a range of fences in general. My goal was to produce a summary index out of which a technical maintenance manual on palisades and fences would one day result.

I would caution the reader to consult the Minutes themselves and not this summary alone in reaching decisions with respect to the maintenance of palisades and fences. The Minutes reflect an approach in design that was pragmatic, particularly when a decision was based on techniques of the period in general rather than on a Louisbourg technique in particular. Consequently, a recommendation made one day could be changed the next.

In most cases, nevertheless, there was a judgement day, when a recommendation finally stood. Generally this occurred when it was transferred as a decision to signed (approved) drawings. On the other hand, signed drawings could illustrate decisions never recorded in the Minutes, and hence, such decisions can be questioned as recommendations open to further debate, if deemed necessary.

I would also caution maintenance personnel to compare the "as designed" with the "as built" before stockpiling too much material. Possibly an "as built" fence (if it differed) would be just as appropriate as the "as designed", given the basis for the decision. On the other hand, the "as built" fence could be entirely inappropriate and the maintenance programme would be the place to begin in rectifying the error.

                                                                                       Eric Krause,
                                                                                       Historical Records Supervisor,
                                                                                       Fortress of Louisbourg
                                                                                       National Historic Park.

Attachments; Appendix A; Appendix B. 
c.c.: Dave Lipton 
        Lorne Burchell 
        Archives (original)
        Kippy Shaw ...