Battles & Campaigns · 1758
Siege of Louisbourg
Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
What happened
British troops landed in Gabarus Bay and set up guns around the fortress. Over six weeks, French ships in the harbour were burned or captured and the King's Bastion caught fire. Drucour surrendered on 26 July.
Why it matters
It ended French control in Atlantic Canada and removed the naval defence of the St. Lawrence River. That opened the way for the British attack on Quebec.
What came next
Wolfe used Louisbourg as his base for the Quebec campaign of 1759. British engineers later took the fortress apart, and the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave Cape Breton Island to Britain.
Did you know?
Part of the fortress was rebuilt from 1961 and is now a living-history museum run by Parks Canada.
Timeline
- 8 Jun 1758British troops land at Gabarus Bay.
- 26 Jul 1758The French surrender Louisbourg.
- 1759Wolfe sails from Louisbourg to attack Quebec.
- 1760British engineers begin taking the fortress apart.
- 1961Canada begins rebuilding part of the fortress.