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A
BRIEF HISTORY
For
nearly a hundred years, starting from 1713, the Caribbean was
the scene of struggle for naval supremacy in which Britain, Spain,
Portugal and France and the United Provinces were competitors.
In this power contest of the 18th century, Britain's strength
lay in her navy and the waters around the valued sugar and spice
islands of the Caribbean.
Privateers were at large in the Caribbean anxious to seize the
valuable cargoes of sugar and other products being sent from the
West Indies to Europe.
And this confused situation was still further complicated by the
American War of Independence and by, the
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attemps of Britain in the last quarter of the eighteenth century
to restrict trade with her former American Colonies.
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It
is against this background of world unrest and competition that
English Harbour was
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developed
into Britian's main naval base in the Eastern Caribbean.
English Harbour's importance grew in the eighteenth century not
only as a port but also as a hurricane refuge and for careening
His Majesty's Ships in the deep water against the shore.
By being able to repair, victual and water ships in the West Indies,
Britain was able to keep a squadron of ships continually in the
Caribbean, thus maintaining naval superiority over the enemy.
Well known British admirals who used the harbour were Rodney, Hood,
Nelson and Lewis.
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The
name Nelson's Dockyard has been derived from the fact that Captain
Nelson was made temporary Commander of the Leeward Islands Station
(1784-1787).
References to English Harbour as a Hurricane haven for ships can
be traced as far back as 1671, and the British began to use it as
a Naval Dockyard in 1725 when St. Helena, located on the eastern
side of the harbour, was allocated funds for construction.
The next major change occured following 1743 when Commodore Charles
Knowles established the Dockyard at its present site and developed
it extensively. |
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A
survey
of 1774 outlined the present layout and most of the buildings seen
today were built between 1785 and 1792.
Steam-powered ships and waning interest in the area caused the Dockyard
to fall into gradual disuse until the Royal Navy completely closed
it in 1889.
The friends of English Harbour, formed in 1951, reconstructed the
Dockyard and officially reopened it in 1961 after much restoration
work. |
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Now
this Georgian Naval Dockyard is part of Antigua and Barbuda National
Park Authority.
Today this historic maritime monument provides one of the best examples
of adaptive use found in the Caribbean.
This means that the harbour and many of the buildings are being
used in ways that approximate the purpose for which they were built.
Instead of the old naval vessels, the harbour is used by private
sailing yachts. |
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Many
of the buildings help service yachts that are based here, and those
that are making ocean voyages.
History has come round in full circle.
With tourism now providing Antigua with a major source of revenue
and employment, the Dockyard authorities have taken on a new dimension.
This is to further the creation of jobs for Antigua's youth through
traditional and craft skills, and maritime activities.
Revenue producing enterprises with Antiguan ownership are also being
developed. |
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