North Atlantic & Caribbean Forts

American Forts: East

NORTH ATLANTIC &
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

There were scores of British, French, Spanish, and Dutch colonial forts in this area over the centuries,
but descriptions of them all are beyond the scope of this website.
OTHER CARIBBEAN FORTS

The U.S. Marine occupation camps in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua
during the early 20th-century are not included here.

LEND-LEASE ACT OF 1940

Last Update: 01/DECEMBER/2007

ICELAND (formerly of Denmark)
(1941 - 1945) near Reykjavik
American Marines were first stationed here beginning in July 1941, replacing British forces sent in 1940, to keep Germany from seizing the island, thus becoming the first American ground forces to operate in the European Theater. Marine infantry units were posted at Camp Lumley near the capital city Reykjavik (brigade headquarters), Camp MacArthur about 10 miles from the capital near the Varma River, Camp Baldurshagi at Baldurshagi, and Camp Brauterholt at Brauterholt. Marine artillery units (75mm) were posted at Camp Tientsin. A Marine Defense Battalion (twelve 3-inch AA and thirty-six .50-cal. AA MG) was headquartered at Camp Hilton. They were also equipped with several searchlights and three SCR-268 radar sets, charged with protecting the harbor and airfield. The Marines were replaced by Army troops between January and March 1942. Coast Artillery (AA) troops took over the Marine's gun positions. Eight Anti Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) batteries (90mm) were also located here to protect the port facilities. Iceland became independent from Denmark in 1944 (de facto 1941).

GREENLAND (Denmark)
(1941 - 1945/present)
German weather stations were destroyed by American and Danish forces. The U.S. then built its own military and weather stations. There were two Anti Motor Torpedo Boat Batteries in this territory during World War II (locations ?). The U.S. Military still maintains a presence here.

AZORES (Portugal)
(1917 - 1918),
U.S. Marines, part of the Advanced Base Force, were sent here during WWI to prevent the islands from falling under German control. Shore batteries were set up around the main harbor, and a seaplane base was established. In 1941 the Marines were ready to go again, for the same reason, but were diverted to Iceland instead, on the request of Great Britain to relieve her troops. Great Britain did establish a naval and air base here in 1943.

BERMUDA (United Kingdom)
(1941 - 1945/1995), St. George's Parish
During World War II Battery 284 (now covered) and an Anti Motor Torpedo Boat Battery were built at British Fort Victoria. Fort Bell was the U.S. Army headquarters, and Kindley Field was the U.S. Army Air Corps base (now the Bermuda International Airport). The U.S. Navy had a Magnectic Indicator Loop Station at British Fort St. Catherine. An American radar station was located on Skinner's Hill. An American submarine base was built on Ordnance Island. Elsewhere, Battery 283 was built at Tudor Hill in Southampton Parish. Two 8-inch railway guns were emplaced at British Scaur Hill Fort in Sandys Parish, nicknamed "Cockroach Gulch" by the Americans. The main American Naval Base was on Morgan's Island in Southampton Parish. The defenses were deactivated in 1945. The U.S. Navy took over Fort Bell/Kindley Field from the Air Force in 1970. American and Canadian forces left the island for good in 1995.
American Bases in Bermuda and Canadian Bases in Bermuda from Bermuda-Online.org

First settled by shipwrecked English colonists bound for Virginia in 1609, Bermuda, then known as Somers' Isles, was claimed by Virginia from 1610 to the 1620's. The Royal Naval Dockyard was built by the British beginning in 1809 to replace lost port facilities on the American East Coast after the American Revolution.

For an overview of some of the over 100 British forts built in the colony since 1612, see the following websites:
British Army Forts in Bermuda and British Royal Navy Dockyard at Bermuda-Online.org by Keith Forbes
Fort Hamilton - Fort St. Catherine - Scaur Hill Fort - Royal Naval Dockyard at Bermuda 4U.com (courtesy of David Mottershead)

BAHAMAS (formerly of the U.K.)
(1776, 1778, 1942 - 1944), Nassau, New Providence Island
American Marines captured British Fort Nassau and Fort Montagu (1742) for two weeks in March 1776, and again in January 1778, for supplies and gunpowder and to try to persuade the local colonists to join the American Revolution. They declined. Fort Montagu, located on the eastern side of town, still exists. The site of Fort Nassau is now the British Colonial Hotel (built 1920's), bounded by West Bay Street, Marlborough Street, and West Street.

New Providence Island was fortified by the British from 1670 to 1838. Old Fort (ruins) (date ?) is located at Old Fort Bay near the International Airport. Fort Fincastle (1793) is located on Bennett's Hill at the top of the "Queen's Staircase". A water tower was built nearby in 1928. Fort Charlotte (1787) on the western side of town is the largest fort in the country, built under Governor Dunmore, formerly of Virginia. The Bahamas were first settled by the British in 1648. The Bahamas gained independence in 1973.

One 4.7-inch QF gun was emplaced by the British Royal Marines at Fort Charlotte in 1917 - 1919. As part of the 1940 Lend-Lease Program a small U.S. Naval Air Station was built near George Town on Great Exuma Island in 1942, closed in 1944. There were no American coast artillery defenses.

JAMAICA (formerly of the U.K.)
(1941 - 1949) near Old Harbour Bay
The U.S. Navy leased the British Navy's Port Royal Dockyard and used Old Harbour Bay (Portland Bight), west of Kingston, as a fleet anchorage. The U.S. Naval Air Station was located on Little Goat Island until 1944. Fort Simonds was the U.S. Army Headquarters. The U.S. Army Coast Artillery emplaced four 155mm guns on Little Goat Island from 1942 - 1944. Battery 285 was planned here but it was never built (this battery number was then assigned to Vieques Island, Puerto Rico). The U.S. Army Air Corps built Vernam Field (vacated 1949).

Modern British defenses included: Fort Clarence (1887 - 1946) in Seafort (two 9-inch RML, replaced in 1901 with two 6-inch QF guns, replaced in 1937 with two 6-inch Mark VII BL guns, one returned to Rocky Point in 1944); Victoria Battery (1878 - 1905) and Albert Battery (date ?) at Port Royal Point (three 7-inch RML and two 64-pdr RML, replaced in 1887 with two 9.2-inch BL DC, two 6-inch BL DC, and two 6-pdr QF, in 1901 added four 12-pdr QF guns); Fort Rocky Point (aka Rocky Point Battery) (1878 - 1946) near Port Royal (three 7-inch RML and two 64-pdr RML, replaced in 1887 with three 6-inch BL DC, replaced in 1912 with two 6-inch Mark VII BL from St. Lucia, one gun removed in 1937 for Fort Clarence, returned in 1944); Fort Nugent (1908 - 1946) in Harbour View near Kingston (one 9.2-inch Mark X BL from St. Lucia); Fort Augusta (1938 - 1946) (two twin 6-pdr QF) at the tip of Port Henderson Beach; Apostles Battery (1878 - 1909) north of Fort Clarence (two 7-inch RML, replaced in 1901 with two 6-inch QF and four 12-pdr QF guns). British troops were withdrawn after WWII. Fort Nugent was demolished in 1960 for a housing development. All other modern batteries still exist in one form or another.
(info provided courtesy of Ian Stevenson)

Older colonial era forts include the British Fort George in Stony Hill north of Kingston; Fort Montego (ruins) in Montego Bay; Fort George (1729) (now Titchfield School) and Navy Island in Port Antonio; Fort Charlotte in Lucea; Fort William near Petersfield; Cornwall Barracks near Moore Town; Fort George on the Pencar River near Annotto Bay; Fort Stewart on the Dry River near Annotto Bay; Fort George near Bensonton; Fort Charles (1656) in Port Royal (admission fee); Passage Fort in Portmore; and Colbeck Castle (1670's) in Old Harbour (a fortified manor). The Spanish archaeological site Sevilla Nueva (1509) is located at St. Ann's Bay. The British gained total control of the island from the Spanish in 1658. Jamaica gained independence in 1962.

NAVASSA ISLAND (United States)
(1856 - present)
There are no military installations here, just a lighthouse. This is an unorganized and unincorporated territory of the U.S. located off the southwestern coast of Haiti. It has only a 3-square mile land area. There is record of the U.S. Marines landing in 1891, probably to oust Haitian pirates.

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA (formerly of the U.K.)
(1941 - 1949/1960), Antigua Island
The U.S. Navy leased the British naval base at Parham Harbour, and shore installations were located along a 1.4 square mile strip of coast on Judge's Bay. The U.S. Army Air Corps built Coolidge Field, which was transferred to the Navy in 1949 (now V.C. Bird International Airport). The U.S. Navy maintained a presence here until 1960, but returned later. (NOTE: U.S. Naval Station Antigua and Antigua Naval Air Station are shown on a 1995 map in the Coolidge area.)

One 4.7-inch QF gun was emplaced by the British Royal Marines at Goat Hill (Fort Barrington) in 1917 - 1919.

Older colonial era forts include British Fort James (1706, 1739) at the northern entrance of St. John's Harbour; Sir George's Old Battery at the northern entrance of Five Islands Harbour; Fort Barrington (ruins) at Deep Bay; Fort George on Monks Hill above Falmouth; Fort William on Lynch Point in Willoughby Bay; Fort Charles at Falmouth Harbour; Blockhouse Hill on Cape Shirley; Fort Shirley (1781 - 1825) (ruins) on Shirley Heights; Fort Berkeley (1704) at English Harbour; and Nelson's Dockyard (National Park) (1743 - 1794) at English Harbour (admission fee). Many of the original British Naval buildings at the Dockyard have been restored and converted into resort hotels and retail shops. A 1780's gun platform exists nearby on the grounds of the Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre (admission fee). Of interest in St. John's is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda located in the Old Court House (1750). Antigua, with Barbuda, gained independence in 1981.

ST. LUCIA (formerly of the U.K.)
(1941 - 1949)
The U.S. Navy leased the British naval base on Gros Islet Bay on the north-end of the island, near the old British Fort Rodney (1797) at Pigeon Island (National Park) (admission fee). The U.S. Army Air Corps constructed Beane Field in 1942 at Vieux Fort on the south-end of the island (now known as Hewanorra International Airport). The U.S. Army was headquartered at Black Bay on the north-end of the island. Two 75mm field guns were probably emplaced here. The U.S. Coast Artillery had two 155mm guns emplaced at the capital of Castries, and also manned several British 3-inch and 4-inch naval guns at British Fort Charlotte (1796) (originally French - Citadelle du Morne Fortune 1764) overlooking the harbor. The Coast Artillery also had two 155mm guns emplaced at Vieux Fort protecting the new dock facilities. Vieux Fort was named after the original Dutch fort located here in the early 1600's. The American coastal defenses were withdrawn in 1944, other forces in 1949.
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

Modern British defenses included: in 1888 at Vigie Battery (Castries) were three one-gun 6-inch BL DC batteries, replaced in 1901 with one 9.2-inch Mark X BL, two 6-inch Mark VII BL, and two 12-pdr QF guns (Meadows Battery); in 1888 at La Toc Battery (Castries) were one two-gun 10-inch RML and one one-gun 10-inch RML battery, replaced in 1901 with two 6-inch Mark VII BL, one 9.2-inch Mark X BL, and two 12-pdr QF guns (Rodney Battery); in 1890 at Morne Fortune Battery (Fort Charlotte) was a four-gun 9-inch RML high-angle battery. The defenses were deactivated in 1905, the guns transferred to Jamaica in 1908. In 1915 the defenses were reactivated with one 6-inch Mark VII BL from Bermuda in the two-gun battery at Vigie, and two French 14 cm guns emplaced in front of the old 9.2-inch battery; another 6-inch Mark VII BL from Bermuda in the two-gun battery at La Toc, with two French 14 cm guns emplaced in front of the old 9.2-inch battery. A French gunboat patrolled the harbor. Canadian troops manned the defenses here during WWI, not withdrawn until June 1919. The four French guns were then returned to Martinique, and the two 6-inch guns were left in situ, returned to Great Britain in 1941. All the modern emplacements are still extant. St. Lucia gained independence in 1979.
(info provided courtesy of Ian Stevenson)

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO (formerly of the U.K.)
(1941 - 1949/1960), Trinidad Island
The U.S. Navy leased four acres adjacent to the British naval base HMS Benbow at Port of Spain. Fort Read was the U.S. Army Headquarters, and Waller Field was the main Army Air Corps field at Chaguaramas. Carlson Field was also built. The batteries planned for the Trinidad Defenses were to have been two casemated 12-inch gun batteries (500-series) at Corozal Point and on Chacachacare Island, Battery 271 on Corozal Point, Battery 272 and Battery 273 on Monos Island, Battery 274 on Chacachacare Island, and Battery 275 on Green Hill. None of these were built.

What WERE actually emplaced by the U.S. were eight 155mm guns on Chacachacare Island (Battery U at Boca Grande, and Battery V at Boca de Navos); four 155mm guns in two positions on Monos Island; four 155mm guns on Green Hill (Battery W) (two guns transferred to Venezuela in 1942); 90mm AMTB/AA batteries at Fort Read, Cumuto, Port of Spain, Piarco Field, Edinburg Field, and Nelson Island; and 37mm AMTB/AA batteries at Mucurapo Point, Laventille Hill, Port of Spain, and Sangre. The HECP was on Chacachacare Island. The Americans used contact mines and anti-submarine nets in the harbor. These defenses were to protect the South Atlantic approach to the Panama Canal. American coast defenses were withdrawn in 1945. The Air Force withdrew in 1949. The U.S. Navy withdrew in 1960. Of interest to historians is the Chaguaramas Military History and Aviation Museum in Chaguaramas (admission fee).
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

The British Royal Marines emplaced four one-gun batteries (4.7-inch QF) in 1917 - 1919 at Gaspar Grande Island, Nelson Island, Point-à-Pierre, and Brighton. The gun on Nelson Island was transferred to Gaspar Grande in 1939.

British defenses emplaced in 1939 were two 6-inch guns at Point-à-Pierre, two 6-inch guns at Point Fortin, two 4.7-inch guns (from WWI) on the western side of Gaspar Grande Island, and five AA gun batteries. The British used underwater magnetic detection loops in the harbor. The British also built two new batteries for two 9.2-inch DC guns each at Cap-de-Ville and Claxton in 1940, but the gun tubes were never emplaced. These two batteries are still extant. Locally raised forces manned the defenses in WWII. The two 4.7-inch guns on Gaspar Grande were replaced with the two 6-inch guns from Point Fortin in 1947 (they still remain today). The two 6-inch batteries at Point Fortin and Point-à-Pierre were then demolished. The remaining defenses were deactivated in the 1950's, and the last British troops left in 1962.
(info provided courtesy of Ian Stevenson)

Colonial era forts include British Fort George (1804 - 1889) in Port of Spain, Fort Picton (? - 1889) in Port of Spain, a small fort in Las Cuevas on the north shore, and reported fort ruins on Gaspar Grande Island. Spanish Fort San Andres is in Port of Spain. British troops left in 1889. Trinidad, with Tobago, gained independence in 1962.

PATOS ISLAND (Venezuela)
(1942 - 1944)
This small island is located just west of Chacachacare Island, off the coast of Trinidad, on the western-side of the "Dragon's Mouth". Two 155mm guns were transferred here from Green Hill in Trinidad, along with two .50-cal. AA machine guns, to better cover the sea lanes. The guns were later manned by Venezuelan troops from 1944 - 1945 until scrapped. Shortly after the American troops left in 1944, a U.S. Navy plane accidently bombed the position. No injuries were reported.
This island was claimed by the British as part of Trinidad until 1942.
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

ARUBA (Netherlands)
(1942 - 1946)
The Americans took over the defenses here to protect the oil fields. U.S. Army Headquarters was at Camp Savaneta near San Nicholas. Two 37mm AMTB guns were located here. The camp is still in use by the Dutch Marines. Four 155mm guns were emplaced southeast of San Nicholas near the oil refinery at Seroe Colorado on Colorado Point. Two 90mm AMTB guns and two 40mm AA were also at this location. AA machine-guns were located around Dakota Field southeast of Oranjestad. It is now Queen Beatrix International Airport. Remaining Dutch forces manned three 7.5-inch guns at Juana Morto, on the southeastern coast north of San Nicholas.
Aruba is a separate Dutch colony from the rest of the Netherlands Antilles. The old Dutch Fort Zoutman (1796) and King Willem III Tower (1868) are located in Oranjestad.
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

CURAÇAO (Netherlands)
(1942 - 1946)
Americans took over the defenses here to protect the oil fields. One 155mm gun was emplaced at Hato Air Field on the north shore. This is now Plesman Airport. Three 155mm guns were emplaced at Blauw Baai (Bay) on the southern shore west of Willemsted near St. Michiel. Twelve 37mm AA guns were emplaced all around the Shottegat Channel into Willemsted Harbor. One of those guns were emplaced at Fort Nassau, and another was emplaced at Fort Amsterdam (1769), two of the older Dutch forts on the island. Fort Amsterdam is now used as the governor's residence and government offices. Another 37mm AA gun was located across the bay north of Willemstad at Emmastad. The remaining Dutch forces manned two 120mm guns at Bullen Baai (Bay) west of Blauw Baai, three 7.5-inch guns east of the Shottegat, one 75mm gun and three 3-inch naval guns on the western shore of the Shottegat.
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

CORN ISLANDS (Nicaragua)
(1916 - 1971)
Two small islands, Great Corn and Little Corn, about four square miles total land area, located about 40 miles off the east coast of Nicaragua. Leased by the U.S. Navy as outposts for the defense of the Panama Canal.

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEND-LEASE BASES

GUYANA (formerly British Guiana)
(1941 - 1949)
The U.S. Navy leased the British naval base on the Demerara River near Georgetown, and another base near Suddie on the Essequibo River. The U.S. Army Air Corps built Atkinson Field. American forces withdrew in 1949.

SURINAM (formerly Dutch Guiana) (formerly of the Netherlands)
(1941 - 1946)
The U.S. Navy leased or took over a Dutch naval base to protect the area's bauxite mines.

ASCENSION ISLAND (Great Britain)
(1942 - 1947)
The U.S. Navy leased the British naval base at Georgetown on the western side of the island, and the U.S. Army Air Force constructed Wideawake Field on the southwestern point of the island as a stopover between Brazil and the Belgian Congo. The U.S. Army was headquartered at Camp Casey just north of the airbase. The U.S. Coast Artillery manned a four-gun 155mm battery on Catherine Point just south of Georgetown, with fire-control stations at Cat Hill and Cross Hill. Two British 5.5-inch naval guns (emplaced 1941) in Georgetown (one at Fort Hayes (1830's) on Goat Hill, and one at Fort Bedford (1840's) on Cross Hill) were manned by American troops in 1942. The American coast defenses were withdrawn in 1944. NASA later had a tracking station on the east-side of the island.
The British first built Fort Thornton in Georgetown in 1817. In 1830 it was enlarged and renamed Fort Cockburn. Following World War I, all the British forts were unarmed.
(info provided by William Gaines of the Coast Defense Study Group)

Also: A U.S. military base is, or was, on Barbados (need info).

Modern British defenses on other Caribbean Islands include:
Barbados - Fort Charles (1878 - 1890) at Needham Point armed with two 7-inch RML and two 64-pdr RML. Also - one 4.7-inch QF at Brittons Hill (WWI), one 4.7-inch QF gun at Wanstead Hill (WWI), one 4-inch naval gun at Fort Charles (WWII);
Grenada - one 4.7-inch QF gun at Richmond Hill (Fort Matthew) (WWI), one 12-pdr QF (WWII);
St. Vincent - one 4.7-inch QF gun at Cane Garden (WWI);
Dominica - one 4.7-inch QF gun at Morne Bruce (WWI);
St. Kitts - one 4.7-inch QF gun at Quarry (WWI).
Great Britain withdrew its defenses from most of the Caribbean in 1870, leaving regular garrisons only on Bermuda, Bahamas (80), Jamaica (652), Barbados (237), Trinidad (117), British Guiana (239), and British Honduras (248), along with the naval dockyards on Bermuda and Jamaica. The Barbados garrison was transferred in 1890 to St. Lucia. Local forces on each island were thereafter responsible for defense. After 1919 only Bermuda and Jamaica were garrisoned by regular troops.

Modern French defenses (1890's - 1920's) on Martinique include:
Fort St. Louis - four 27.44 cm, five 24 cm, six 19.4 cm guns;
Fort Desaix - four 27.44 cm, four 19.4 cm, eight 13.6 cm guns;
Fort Tartenson - four 16.47 cm, three 13.86 cm, four 13.86 cm (detached) guns.
The French military continues to garrison Martinique.
(info provided courtesy of Ian Stevenson)

LINKS TO OTHER CARIBBEAN FORTS:
St. Eustatius Tourism - Netherlands Antilles
Fortifications of St. Eustatius - Netherlands Antilles
Fort George - Grenada (briefly attacked and occupied by the USMC in Operation Urgent Fury 1983) (Fort George website courtesy of J. David Zimmerman)
Brimstone Hill Fortress, St. Kitts - Nevis