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During the Napoleonic wars, timber cut in the Ottawa and Gatineau valleys was gathered together and rafted to Quebec and shipped to Great Britain. Canada became a vital source of supply for the construction of British merchant fleets and Royal Navy ships and thus, Britain’s overwhelming might at sea. (Library and Archives Canada, C-073702)

This view of the harbour at Louisbourg in the summer of 1744 gives an idea of how busy the port could be. Both merchant ships and warships (at right) can be seen. In the background, the lighthouse is visible at the entrance to the port and a cloud of smoke rises from a careened ship. In the foreground, members of the fortress garrison can be seen at work around the guardhouse. Reconstruction by Lewis Parker. (Parks Canada)

The waterfront of the busy port of Louisbourg is seen during August 1744. A variety of ships are shown, including a warship of the Marine royale française in the right foreground. The large building in the background is the King's Bastion barracks. Soldiers lived in the right wing, while the governor's quarters and Saint-Louis chapel were in the left wing. Reconstruction by Lewis Parker. (Parks Canada)