Jean-Philippe Tremblay, president of Développement GLS, says he has never made so many discoveries in a week after moving from one location to another for 12 years. Between newspapers from 1917 and a mysterious metal poster, the most likely bicentennial bomb remains the piece de resistance.
The team, which specializes in renovating historic and historic buildings, quickly rejoiced at the serendipitous discovery. Since there is a risk of theft, leaving the artifact on the site is out of the question. The item ended up in her office on Watt Avenue in Quebec.
A decision he didn’t know was dangerous because the bomb might still be active, Mr. Tremblay learned.
“The bomb flew, it fell. It didn’t explode. Someone tried to drive a stake into it. The stake bent. We got it out of the ground.
“I told myself that if we brought him gently into the office, the risk would be more minimal than anything that had happened before,” says Mr. Tremblay, who remains on guard despite everything at the sight of the projectile.
A “common” discovery
Not knowing what to do with the artifact, Mr. Tremblay contacted an archaeologist in Quebec City, Manon Goyette, who was of great help.
A photo sent to the specialist confirmed that the artifact was indeed a bomb, “because there are rings.” And we see the hole to insert the powder,” she tells Le Soleil.
In principle, the archaeologist explains, a rocket with a detonator inside is inserted into the opening to produce the explosion when it comes into contact with the powder. Cannons were used to fire on the machines on both the French and English sides.
Furthermore, Ms. Goyette reiterates that it is still too early to make any claims, especially since the object was not found during an excavation. A military projectile specialist must analyze it to find out more about the caliber of the bomb, the type of cannon that fired it, and the French or English origin of the projectile.
“We do not have an archaeological context that allows us to confirm the date of the events, but we can assume that they are events related to the conquest of Quebec. »
— Manon Goyette, archaeologist in Quebec City
One of the hypotheses on the table is that the bomb was dropped during the Battle of Sainte-Foy. The latter took place in the Parc des Braves area near where the discovery was made.
While Quebec was under the control of the British Army, François de Lévis led an army of 7,000 men across Sainte-Foy to retake the city. He reached it on April 27, 1760. Colonel James Murray, who was informed of the situation, had in turn gathered 3,400 soldiers.
The confrontation will take place the next day across the entire width of the Quebec foothills.
If Lévis succeeds in inducing the siege, the reinforcements and ammunition requested from the boats will never reach the city, which would mean the final fall of New France.
On average, one or two bombs are discovered each year in Old Quebec and its outskirts. This is a “pretty common” discovery, Ms. Goyette says.
Who is the bomb going to?
Proceedings have been initiated, says Mr. Tremblay. Call the City of Quebec and then the Ministry of Culture and Communications to make a discovery report. “The next step is to call Valcartier so that he can pick it up and defuse it,” the entrepreneur adds.
A few hours after the sun’s passage, the bomb was in the hands of Canadian Forces pyrotechnicians. The entrance to the parking lot was blocked with tape. Despite the “low” risk, their site was evacuated to recover the machine, the president of Développement GLS was told.
The Ministry of Culture and Communications, Parks Canada or the Quebec City Archaeological Reserve will recover the projectiles, depending on where they were found.
Because the artifact was unearthed on private land, it belongs to the owners of the premises under the Heritage Act. If the bomb was offered to Mr. Tremblay, he doesn’t know exactly what he will do with it afterwards.