| Fort Amherst | |
|---|---|
| — Neighbourhood — | |
| Fort Amherst from Signal Hill | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Newfoundland and Labrador |
| City | St. John's |
| Ward | 2 |
| Government | |
| • Administrative body | St. John's City Council |
| • Councilor | Frank Galgay |
Fort Amherst is a small community within St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located at , on the southern side of The Narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbour. Apart from some family dwellings, Fort Amherst consists of a man-made harbour,[1] a lighthouse[2] and the remains of gun emplacements built during World War II to defend against German U-boats.[3]
The original fortifications at Fort Amherst, built in the 1770s, are no longer visible.[3] The fortifications were named for William Amherst,[4] who successfully recaptured St. John's from French forces in 1762.[5]
The name is shared with Port La-Joye / Fort Amherst in Prince Edward Island and Fort Amherst in England.
The first lighthouse in Newfoundland was built at Fort Amherst in 1810.[6] The current lighthouse was built in 1951.[2]