Hudson's Bay Co. fort at mouth of Churchill river. The first fort was built 1688 five miles up the river. Whale fishing was notable at that time. This fort was captured by the French 1689. In 1716 a second fort was built at mouth of river, made of wood. A third fort, the great fort known as Fort Prince of Wales, was constructed in 1734, on the point at entrance to Churchill Harbour. The walls were 37 to 42 feet thick at base and 6 feet 3 inches at top. The north and south sides of the fort were over 100 yards long. Walls were of cut stone and it was erected by Scotch masons brought over from Scotland for the purpose. This fort was captured and destroyed by the French under Admiral La Perouse in 1782, and the remains are now a Historic Memorial Site in charge of the Dominion Government. Some of the guns, of which there were forty, are lying on the ground. In 1784 an establishment was constructed on the present site, a few miles upstream from the old fort, and on site of the first original fort of 1688. It is situated in the midst of a barren rocky region without wood. Location of these forts shown on map of Churchill Harbour (No. 78). On Rocque's map 1763 (No. 96) & Del'Isle 1700 (No. 94).