Visitors to Nova Scotia might not be surprised to find that the Canadian province, over the centuries, has hosted numerous prisoners of war (POWs). What many may find surprising is that these prisoners at one point counted thousands of Americans.
Jailhouse on Melville
While the United States and Canada have enjoyed amiable relations far beyond living memory, such was not always the case. In fact the War of 1812 marked a decided low point between the then British North American colonies of which Nova Scotia was one, and the newly minted United States of America. American troops burned Toronto (then known as York), and in retribution General Ross occupied Washington, D.C. and torched the Capitol Building, as well as scorching the presidential residence and feasting on Dolly Madison’s best china. The scorched residence of President Madison had to be white-washed afterwards; hence, giving it the now popular designation as “the White House”.
The jail on Melville Island
All told, about 8,000 American POWs were temporary guests of His Majesty on Melville Island, and 135 remain in the province to this day, buried in unmarked graves on the aptly named and nearby Deadman’s Island. At one point Deadman’s Island was slated for a condominium development. Outraged Americans and Canadians alike assured that the island remained untouched out of respect to the men interred there and it is now a designated park where all can visit but none may live.
Jailbirds: Ariana and Eugene
A plaque in the park, dedicated in 2005, reads:
Go view the graves which prisoners fill
Go count them on the rising hill
No monumental marble show
Whose silent dust does there repose
Melville Island had been used to imprison erring British military since 1803 but in 1808, the first POWs were Frenchmen captured during the Napoleonic conflict, as well as some of their Spanish allies. Not until the United States joined the conflict in 1812 were Americans seen.
Some of the prisoners on the island were crew members of the heavy frigate USS Chesapeake, which was captured by the British Vessel HMC Leopard after capturing five British merchant vessels. Some of Chesapeake‘s crew still repose on Deadman’s Island.
The island did not cease to see use as a military prison until 1905. German POW’s also were guest here during the First World War. Indeed, rumour had it that Leon Trotsky once graced a cell in the prison, though the truth is he was actually housed in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
Armdale Yacht Club clubhouse, built in 1808
In 1947 the island was granted a long-term lease to become the Armdale Yacht Club, ironically a playground for the wealth rather than a home to hapless POWs and military prisoners. The clubhouse perched on the highest point of the island was built in 1808. Though it has seen many renovations and much refurbishment the Georgian military style of the building can still be detected by the discerning eye.
Photo Credits
Photos © Amanda Sutherland. All Rights Reserved.
The corner stone in your photo is a replica of what could be read on the weathered original corner stone on the old wooden prison that burnt. The replica in the photo was installed in the foundation of the foyer added on to the clubhouse.