(_d_) The manning of the Port War Signal Station, by which all British and Allied warships were passed in under secret signals and codes. (_e_) All guns in the various forts were kept loaded, and the crews were kept standing by day and night, ready for instant action. (_f_) The infantry continually patrolled the coast, guarding the approaches to the city, and protecting cable landings and wireless stations. (_g_) When orders were issued to reduce the strength of the defences in September, 1914, the British Admiral on the Station informed Headquarters that if this order were carried out he would withdraw his fleet and mine the harbor, which would mean closing the harbor to all shipping. (_h_) A Hydroplane Station was established, and patrolled the coast daily during the latter part of the War. (_i_) Owing to the protection afforded by the defences of Halifax, the authorities were enabled to dispatch from this port in the vicinity of 300,000 Canadian troops, in addition to many thousand Colonial and Allied troops, including Australians, New Zealanders, Bermudians, Fiji Islanders, Americans, and some 50,000 Chinese labor troops. (_j_) By means of its defence Halifax afforded shelter for a large number of merchant vessels that were driven in by German raiders early in the War. It should also be noted that submarines were frequently in the vicinity of the harbor, and on one notable occasion a large oil tanker was sunk two hours after she left her pier, and several fishing vessels were sunk off the coast, and other large transports and cargo vessels were driven ashore at the entrance of the harbor. The transport _City of Vienna_ became a total wreck. Preparations were made and orders issued to provide against possible landing parties from German raiders. Stringent orders were issued providing for the screening of all lights in the city and prosecutions were issued for neglecting to carry out this order. The foregoing is enumerated with the object of showing the importance of Halifax Harbor as a War Station and the necessity of having it properly defended by maintaining the Garrison at full strength. CHAPTER XXXII. _THE FIRST REGIMENT CANADIAN GARRISON ARTILLERY._ This Unit was organized in 1869 for the purpose of assisting the Regular Forces of the Garrison of Halifax in manning the Forts. The Regiment has always been at a high state of efficiency, due to the superior class of men it has been able to attract to its ranks. [Illustration: LIEUT.-COL. A. W. DUFFUS.]