Nelsons Dockyard description and photos - Antigua and Barbuda: St. John's (Topic)

Nelson's Dockyard description and photos - Antigua and Barbuda: St. John's. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Nelson's Dockyard.

Photo & Description

Nelson's Shipyards are a heritage site and marina in English Harbor. They are part of Nelson Dockyard National Park, which includes Clarence House and Shirley Heights. The complex is named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived at the docks from 1784 to 1787. Nelson's Shipyards are today the site of Antigua's sailing and yachting events and the Museum of Navy and Shipyard History.

The port of England quickly became a naval base in the colony. Its position on the southern side of the island made it possible to observe the neighboring French island of Guadeloupe. In addition, the natural conditions well protected ships and cargo from hurricanes. The first registered ship to enter an English port in 1671 was the Castle Dover yacht. hiding from the pirates pursuing her.

Construction of a modern shipyard began in the 1740s by the forces of slaves from the plantations, which were sent to the docks. By 1745, a line of timber storage facilities had been erected on the site of the present Cooper & Lambert Magazine Hotel, and land reclamation had begun to provide suitable berths. Residential quarters were built between 1755 and 1765. Additionally, storage rooms, a kitchen and stables were equipped. Wooden piles were laid and faced with granite, delimiting the docks.In the period from 1773 to 1778 there were erected buildings of a guardhouse, an armory room, a canvas, rope warehouse and a clothing store.

Many of the buildings seen at Nelson's Dockyards today were built by a program carried out between 1785 and 1794, which coincides with Nelson's stay here (from 1784 to 1787).

In 1889, the Royal Navy left the shipyards and they fell into disrepair. The Society of Friends of the English Harbor began restoration of the complex in 1951. Ten years later, Nelson's Shipyards were opened to the public. The original buildings include two hotels, a museum, craft and grocery stores, restaurants and a large marina. The Royal Navy Officers' House, built in 1855, was rebuilt in the 1970s. The building served as offices before opening its doors as the Nelson Dockyard History Museum in 1997. Today, the museum displays exhibits relating to archaeological and historical research in Antigua.

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Topic: Nelsons Dockyard description and photos - Antigua and Barbuda: St. John's.