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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Nelson's Dockyard.jpg|thumb|Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour]]
[[File:Nelson's Dockyard.jpg|thumb|Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour]]
'''Nelson's Dockyard''' is a cultural heritage site and marina in [[English Harbour]], located in [[Saint Paul Parish, Antigua and Barbuda|Saint Paul Parish]] on the Caribbean island of [[Antigua]], in [[Antigua and Barbuda]]. It was built in the early 18th century and abandoned by the [[Royal Navy|British Navy]] in 1889.<ref name=":0" /> It is named after Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]], who lived in the [[Royal Navy Dockyard]] from 1784 through 1787.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Nelsons Dockyard National Park |url=https://www.nationalparksantigua.com/tours/nelsons-dockyard-national-park/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www.nationalparksantigua.com |publisher=Antigua & Barbuda National Parks Authority |language=en-US |publication-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Saunders |first=Nicholas J. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Peoples_of_the_Caribbean/F77OEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=nelson's+dockyard+1784+through+1787&pg=PA11 |title=The Peoples of the Caribbean: An Encyclopedia of Archaeology and Traditional Culture |date=2005-12-16 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-57607-702-3 |language=en}}</ref>
'''Nelson's Dockyard''' is a cultural heritage site and marina in [[English Harbour]], located in [[Saint Paul Parish, Antigua and Barbuda|Saint Paul Parish]] on the Caribbean island of [[Antigua]], in [[Antigua and Barbuda]]. It is the only continuously working [[Georgian era|Georgian Era]] dockyard in the world.<ref name=":1" /> It was built in the early 18th century and abandoned by the [[Royal Navy|British Navy]] in 1889.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-09-11 |title=Nelson's Dockyard: From 'vile hole' to national treasure |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-37286174 |access-date=2024-06-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The dockyard is named after Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]], who lived in the [[Royal Navy Dockyard]] from 1784 through 1787.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Nelsons Dockyard National Park |url=https://www.nationalparksantigua.com/tours/nelsons-dockyard-national-park/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www.nationalparksantigua.com |publisher=Antigua & Barbuda National Parks Authority |language=en-US |publication-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Saunders |first=Nicholas J. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Peoples_of_the_Caribbean/F77OEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=nelson's+dockyard+1784+through+1787&pg=PA11 |title=The Peoples of the Caribbean: An Encyclopedia of Archaeology and Traditional Culture |date=2005-12-16 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-57607-702-3 |language=en}}</ref>


It is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and the [[Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites]] [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1499/ |website=[[UNESCO]] World Heritage Convention}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/unesco-world-heritage-sites-caribbean-antigua-and-barbuda |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Loop Caribbean News |language=en}}</ref> It is also home to some of Antigua's sailing and yachting events such as [[Antigua Sailing Week]], the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua Charter Yacht Show: Celebrating 61 years of success |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/charter/luxury-yacht-charter-advice/antigua-charter-yacht-show-2022 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Boat International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua's Nelson's Dockyard voted Best Attraction in Caribbean |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/antiguas-nelsons-dockyard-voted-best-attraction-caribbean-7 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Loop Caribbean News |language=en}}</ref> as well as the North American Optimist Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Compass |first=Caribbean |date=2023-02-13 |title=Antigua hosts 2023 North American Optimist Championship |url=https://caribbeancompass.com/antigua-hosts-2023-north-american-optimist-championship/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Caribbean Compass |language=en-US}}</ref>
Today, it is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and the [[Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites]] [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1499/ |website=[[UNESCO]] World Heritage Convention}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/unesco-world-heritage-sites-caribbean-antigua-and-barbuda |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Loop Caribbean News |language=en}}</ref> It is also home to some of Antigua's sailing and yachting events such as [[Antigua Sailing Week]], the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua Charter Yacht Show: Celebrating 61 years of success |url=https://www.boatinternational.com/charter/luxury-yacht-charter-advice/antigua-charter-yacht-show-2022 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Boat International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Antigua's Nelson's Dockyard voted Best Attraction in Caribbean |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/antiguas-nelsons-dockyard-voted-best-attraction-caribbean-7 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Loop Caribbean News |language=en}}</ref> as well as the North American Optimist Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Compass |first=Caribbean |date=2023-02-13 |title=Antigua hosts 2023 North American Optimist Championship |url=https://caribbeancompass.com/antigua-hosts-2023-north-american-optimist-championship/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Caribbean Compass |language=en-US}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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===Restoration===
===Restoration===
The Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoration of the dockyard in 1951, and a decade later it was opened to the public.<ref name=fodors>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/antigua-and-barbuda/things-to-do/sights/reviews/nelsons-dockyard-175657|title=Nelson's Dockyard Review - Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean - Sights &#124; Fodor's Travel|website=www.fodors.com}}</ref>
The Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoration of the dockyard in 1951, and a decade later it was opened to the public.<ref name=fodors>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/antigua-and-barbuda/things-to-do/sights/reviews/nelsons-dockyard-175657|title=Nelson's Dockyard Review - Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean - Sights &#124; Fodor's Travel|website=www.fodors.com}}</ref> Among the original buildings are two hotels, a museum, craft and food shops, restaurants, and a large marina.<ref name="fodors" /> Hiking trails radiate from the dockyard site into the surrounding Nelson's Dockyard National Park.<ref name="fodors" />

Among the original buildings are two hotels, a museum, craft and food shops, restaurants, and a large marina.<ref name=fodors/>

Hiking trails radiate from the dockyard site into the surrounding Nelson's Dockyard National Park.<ref name=fodors/>


===Media===
===Media===
On May 9, 1982, [[Duran Duran]] filmed [[Music video|music videos]] for their songs "[[Rio (song)|Rio]]" and "(Waiting for the) Night Boat" in English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heyman |first=Stephen |date=2012-05-04 |title=Duran Duran Sails Back to 'Rio' |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/duran-duran-sails-back-to-rio/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=T Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. fans almost missed the genius of Duran Duran's 'Night Boat' |url=https://www.tampabay.com/us-fans-almost-missed-the-genius-of-duran-durans-night-boat/2341962/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-18 |title=Eilean Returns Home as the Star of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2012 - Duran Duran |url=https://duranduran.com/2012/eilean-returns-home-as-the-star-of-the-antigua-classic-yacht-regatta-2012/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |language=en-US}}</ref>
On May 9, 1982, [[Duran Duran]] filmed their "Waiting for the Nightboat" music video in Antigua, in a dry dock in Nelson's Dockyard.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 14:28, 30 June 2024

Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour

Nelson's Dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina in English Harbour, located in Saint Paul Parish on the Caribbean island of Antigua, in Antigua and Barbuda. It is the only continuously working Georgian Era dockyard in the world.[1] It was built in the early 18th century and abandoned by the British Navy in 1889.[2][3] The dockyard is named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived in the Royal Navy Dockyard from 1784 through 1787.[1][4]

Today, it is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and the Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5][1][6] It is also home to some of Antigua's sailing and yachting events such as Antigua Sailing Week, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting,[7][8] as well as the North American Optimist Championships.[9]

History

After England acquired colonial British Antigua and Barbuda in 1632, the English Harbour became a focal point for the establishment of a naval base. Its position on the south side of Antigua island facilitated the monitoring of the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe. Additionally, the harbour is naturally well-suited to protect ships and cargo from hurricanes. In 1671 the first recorded ship to enter English Harbour was a yacht, the Dover Castle. It was chartered to the King by a Colonel Stroude for the use of the Governor of the Leeward Islands when he visited the islands under his jurisdiction and "chased ye pirates".

The first reference to the defence of English Harbour occurs in 1704 when Fort Berkeley was listed as one of the twenty forts established around the coast of Antigua. By 1707 naval ships used English Harbour as a station, but no facilities had yet been built for ship maintenance or repair. By 1723 English Harbour was in regular use by British naval ships and in September of that year the harbour gained a reputation as a safe natural harbour when a hurricane swept ashore 35 ships lying in other ports in Antigua, while HMS Hector and HMS Winchelsea, both moored in English Harbour, suffered no damage. Soon British naval officers petitioned for the building of repair and maintenance facilities in English Harbour. In 1728 the first Dockyard, St. Helena, was built on the east side of the harbour and consisted of a capstan house for careening ships, a stone storehouse, and three wooden sheds for the storage of careening gear. There were no quarters for dockyard staff or visiting sailors and the seamen themselves conducted all work and repairs on the ships. Naval operations in English Harbour soon outgrew the small original dockyard and plans were made to develop the western side of the harbour with more facilities.

Construction

Admiral's Inn (the former Pitch and Tar Store)

Construction of the modern Naval Dockyard began in the 1740s. Enslaved laborers from plantations in the vicinity were sent to work on the dockyard. By 1745 a line of wooden storehouses on the site of the present Copper & Lumber Store Hotel had been built and the reclamation of land to provide adequate wharves had been started. Building continued in the Dockyard between 1755 and 1765, when quarters were built for the Commander-in-Chief on the site of the Officers’ Quarters. Additional storerooms, a kitchen and a shelter for the Commander's “chaise” were also erected. The first part of the present Saw Pit Shed was constructed, the reclamation of the wharves and their facing with wooden piles was continued, and a stone wall was built to enclose the Dockyard.

Between 1773 and 1778 additional construction was undertaken. The boundary walls were extended to their present position; the Guard House, the Porter's Lodge, the two Mast Houses, the Capstan House, and the first bay of the Canvas, Cordage, and Clothing Store were built; and the first Naval Hospital was built outside the Dockyard. Many of the buildings in the Dockyard today were constructed during a building programme undertaken between 1785 and 1794. The Engineer's Offices and Pitch and Tar Store were built in 1788 and the Dockyard wall was extended to enclose the new building. The wharves were improved and the northern side of the Saw Pit Shed was built in the same year. In 1789 the Copper and Lumber Store was completed and by 1792 the west side of the Canvas, Cordage, and Clothing Store had been completed. The Blacksmith's Shop also dates from this period. This building programme overlaps with Nelson's tenure in the Dockyard from 1784 to 1787.

The Sail Loft was built in 1797 adjacent to the Engineer's Offices and Tar and Pitch Store. Around 1806 the Pay Master's Office was built and in 1821 the Officers’ Quarters building was constructed to accommodate the growing numbers of officers who accompanied their ships to the yard. The Naval Officer's and Clerk's House was built in 1855 and is now home to the Dockyard Museum.

In 1889 the Royal Navy abandoned the dockyard, and it fell into decay.

Restoration

The Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoration of the dockyard in 1951, and a decade later it was opened to the public.[10] Among the original buildings are two hotels, a museum, craft and food shops, restaurants, and a large marina.[10] Hiking trails radiate from the dockyard site into the surrounding Nelson's Dockyard National Park.[10]

Media

On May 9, 1982, Duran Duran filmed music videos for their songs "Rio" and "(Waiting for the) Night Boat" in English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard.[11][12][13]

  • View of Nelson's Dockyard from Fort Hill
    View of Nelson's Dockyard from Fort Hill
  • Former Naval Officer's House (now the Dockyard Museum)
    Former Naval Officer's House (now the Dockyard Museum)
  • Remains of former Boat House & Sail Loft, which lost its roof in a hurricane in 1871[2]
    Remains of former Boat House & Sail Loft, which lost its roof in a hurricane in 1871[2]
  • Remains at Nelson's Dockyard
    Remains at Nelson's Dockyard
  • Capstan at Nelson's Dockyard marina
    Capstan at Nelson's Dockyard marina
  • Mast House at Nelson's Dockyard
    Mast House at Nelson's Dockyard
  • Ships anchor at Nelson's Dockyard, with the Officers' Quarters and Canvas, Cordage & Clothing Store behind
    Ships anchor at Nelson's Dockyard, with the Officers' Quarters and Canvas, Cordage & Clothing Store behind
  • Nelson's Dockyard: capstans within the remains of the Capstan House, galley behind
    Nelson's Dockyard: capstans within the remains of the Capstan House, galley behind
  • Figurehead at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua
    Figurehead at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua
  • Figurehead at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua
    Figurehead at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Nelsons Dockyard National Park". www.nationalparksantigua.com. Antigua & Barbuda National Parks Authority. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Dockyard history". www.paradise-islands.org.
  3. ^ "Nelson's Dockyard: From 'vile hole' to national treasure". BBC News. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  4. ^ Saunders, Nicholas J. (16 December 2005). The Peoples of the Caribbean: An Encyclopedia of Archaeology and Traditional Culture. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-57607-702-3.
  5. ^ "Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites". UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
  6. ^ "UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda". Loop Caribbean News. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Antigua Charter Yacht Show: Celebrating 61 years of success". Boat International. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Antigua's Nelson's Dockyard voted Best Attraction in Caribbean". Loop Caribbean News. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  9. ^ Compass, Caribbean (13 February 2023). "Antigua hosts 2023 North American Optimist Championship". Caribbean Compass. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Nelson's Dockyard Review - Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean - Sights | Fodor's Travel". www.fodors.com.
  11. ^ Heyman, Stephen (4 May 2012). "Duran Duran Sails Back to 'Rio'". T Magazine. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. fans almost missed the genius of Duran Duran's 'Night Boat'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Eilean Returns Home as the Star of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2012 - Duran Duran". 18 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
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