Skip NavShipward In English Harbor
This heritage landmark is the only remaining naval dockyard in the world designed to maintain wooden sailing warships of olden times. It was started as early as 1725, though it had been used as shelter from the mid 17th century. The first recorded ship at English harbor, anchored to survive a hurricane, was a yacht. It was a naval ship chartered to the King for the use of his Governor of the Leeward Islands.
Nelson? The famous British hero of Trafalgar (1805), Horatio Nelson, was here as Senior Captain (27 years old) in 1784. As a zealous Naval Officer, he enforced the Navigation Act, which stated only British ships could trade with British islands.
America had become independent, so Nelson severely upset the Antiguan merchants by suppressing their long standing trade with the former British American colonies. At one time, if he had left his ship (Boreas), he would have been arrested. The merchants were attempting to sue him.
The Dockyard's main function was to maintain and careen ships, thus saving the long voyage to America for docking. The yard was abandoned in 1889, and in 1930, restoration was half-heartedly started, and in 1951, it went full ahead. The National Parks Authority took over from the Friends of English Harbour in 1984.
Falmouth Village
This present day village near English Harbour is supposed to have been the first town of Antigua. In 1672, it possessed the only church of the island, which also served as a courthouse. Above this village is the famous Fort George on Monk's Hill built from 1689 to about 1730. It was a place of last refuge against the attacks of Caribs and other European powers.