[1] York Redoubt was a key element in the defence of Halifax Harbour in the 19th and 20th centuries, and saw many additions to its fortifications.

It was a command centre for the local harbour defences in World War II, which included observation posts, a defensive minefield and a new gun battery below the fort at Sleepy Cove covering the anti-submarine net which stretched across the harbour's entrance from Fort McNab on McNabs Island.

An open-air collection of unmounted cannon within the fort has several pieces of artillery of various periods, including a large 9.62-inch breech loader that had been mounted at the Sandwich Point battery, part of the York Redoubt complex.

[2] The series of four gun emplacements was constructed during World War I one kilometre away from the main fort at York Redoubt to protect the approaches to Halifax Harbour.

The battery is currently derelict and completely contained within Department of National Defence fenced land (home to Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School) and is strictly off limits to the public (gates restrict road access to Gas Lane via Fire and Smoke Roads from John Bracket Drive).