Smith's Fort
| Smith's Fort | |
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Bermuda | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Bare ruins |
Smith's Fort lies in ruins on the shore of Governor's Island at the eastern edge of Bermuda. It was once the dominant feature of the island, an isle of only one acre.
The island was named for Governor Richard Moore who in 1612-13 began the fort as a way to command the vulnerable but then strategically important channel nearby. By the time Moore's term ended, 11 guns were in the fort. One of the less inaccessible forts but historically important. On the list of Bermuda National Parks and Reserves.
Skeletons have been found in the fort, in 1999 and in 2001: both appear to have been labourers working on rebuilding Smith's Fort in the 1790s, at a time the fort was modified by St George's first mayor, Major Andrew Durnford who was also a Royal Engineer and who was responsible for modernizing Bermuda's forts following the American rebellion. Durnford destroyed all but the footings of the original fort before rebuilding it.
Smith's Fort is one of the fortifications at the east end that are now on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
