Louis XIV Starts War
After the death of the Spanish King, Charles II, Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip, took the throne. Having Spain on his side, Louis XIV began his European expansion by cutting off Spanish trade to England and the Netherlands. Through this action, England and the Netherlands rose up against him and the War of the Spanish Succession begun.
French and Indians vs New England Colonist and Britain
Across the Atlantic Ocean in the American colonies, another war was brewing. This was Queen Anne’s War. Still wanting to expand their ownership in the colonies, the French encouraged the Abenakis to attack the border settlements. New England colonist refused to let the French and Indian forces destroy their homes. They designed their own plan and successfully attacked the French settlements of Minas and Beaubassin in Nova Scotia.
On February 29, 1704, the French, along with their Indian allies, attacked Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing 53 men, women, and children. They took approximately 100 prisoners. In retaliation, the colonist attempted twice to take Port Royal, Nova Scotia, but failed. After pleas to the English Crown, British ships arrived in the Massachusetts port.
British Ships Leave for Port Royal
In September 18, 1710, forty ships left Boston and headed to Port Royal. After arriving through the narrow waterway of Port Royal, the French began hurling canon balls at them. Colonel Francis Nicholson wanting to arrange the ships and his men strategically continued to move towards the fort. Once the ships and his men were within artillery range they began to fire back at the French. On September 29, the British bombarded the French fort with canon fire.
Union Jack Replaces the French Flag
Wanting a truce, French officer, Daniel d?Auger de Subercase sent a messenger with a note for Colonel Nicholson. The French officer wanted to know the terms of surrender, which amounted to giving up the fort. On October 1, the Union Jack replaced the French flag at Port Royal.
British and Spaniards
Not only did the British fight the French in New England, they were also fighting the Spaniards in Florida. In 1704, the British forces captured St. Augustine, Florida. And in April 1713, France, Spain, Great Britain, Duke of Savoy, and the United Provinces signed the Treaty of Utrecht.
Honoring King Louis XIV
The island wilderness of Cape Breton Island, King Louis XIV believed, was the “true guardian of the St. Lawrence.” He realized that Acadia (Nova Scotia) could not be militarily strong without Cape Breton Island. Before his death, Louis XIV had the port on the north end of the island well protected by a newly built fortress that would withstand a vicious attack from the enemy. The port was to grow into a major fishing village. The harbor would become “a privateering refuge so secure that it would be called the ‘Dunkirk of America.’” It was named Louisburg in the King’s honor.
Source
Leckie, Robert. A Few Acres of Snow: the Saga of the French and Indian Wars. Toronto, Willey Publishing, Inc. 2000.
