Ordnance Island, Bermuda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ordnance Island is located within the limits of St. George's town, Bermuda. It lies close to the shore opposite the town square (King's Square), in St. George's Harbour.
The only island in the town, it covers just 1.75 acres and was created by reclaiming the land between several small islands which were once situated here. The original islands of Ducking Stool, Frazer's and Gallows were used, in the early days of the colony, for executions. Joined together to form Ordnance Island, they became a Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) depot in the 19th Century, supplying ordnance to forts and batteries around St. George's. By the Second World War, it had fallen into disuse with the Army and was loaned to the US Navy for use as a submarine base.
The island is now joined to St. George's Island by a small bridge. Most of the buildings erected by the Army and the US Navy have been razed. One large Army building, the Storekeeper's House remains, and was recently refurbished as offices for the Corporation of St. George. The only other buildings on the island are an office of HM Customs used to clear visiting yachts, and a new cruise ship terminal. There is, however, a prominent replica of the Deliverance located on the island. The original was one of the two ships built by the survivors of the Sea Venture, flagship of the Virginia Company, which was wrecked in Bermuda in 1609, accidentally beginning Bermuda's settlement. There is also a statue of Sir George Somer's, Admiral of the Virginia Company, who was at the helm of the Sea Venture when she was driven on the reefs, and is credited as the founder of Bermuda, which is also known as The Somers Isles.
 |
This Bermuda location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
