The Narrows, the only entrance to St. John's

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...

 Harbour, Newfoundland

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...

, is a narrow channel between the Southside and Signal

Signal Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador

Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Due to its strategic placement overlooking the harbour, fortifications have been placed on the hill since the mid 17th century.-History:...

 hills. It has a least depth of 11 metres and at its narrowest point near Chain Rock is 61 metres wide.

The Narrows has served an important defence of the city of St. John’s from early pirates and settlers in 1655 to World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. In 1655 vice admiral Christopher Martin

Christopher Martin

Christopher Martin was a Pilgrim and signer of the Mayflower Compact.Christopher Martin was born on an unknown date prior to 1582. He married Mary Prower, a widow, in Great Burstead, Essex, England in February 1606 or 1607. Mary Martin was born around 1580, in the vicinity of Great Burstead,...

 erected a fort on the south side to prevent privateers and enemy vessels from entering the port. In 1763 Fort Amherst

Fort Amherst, St. John's

Fort Amherst is a small community within St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located at , on the southern side of The Narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbour...

 was built in the same area. In the late 18th century a chain was erected across the narrows from Chain Rock to Pancake Rock which could be raised in the event of enemy ships advancing into the harbour. During World War II a steel mesh was installed to prevent enemy submarines

U-boat

U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...

from entering the harbour.