Fort James

Fort James stands on the northern point at the entrance to St John's harbour, begun in the 1700s and completed in 1739, with several cannon still in place along the seaward wall and a powder magazine behind. It was one of a pair with Fort Barrington across the channel, the two covering the approach between them. The beach beside it is used by people from the town and the fort is open ground with no gate.

History

Work on the fort began in 1706, prompted by fear of a French invasion, and most of its buildings date from 1739; it is one of the many forts the British built in the 18th century to guard their harbours, and it is named after King James II. By 1773 it had 36 guns and barracks for 75 men, and in the 19th century a gun fired salutes to visiting warships and signals at sunrise and sunset. A powder magazine, several cannon and the foundations of the walls remain (Wikipedia, Fort James, Antigua and Barbuda).

The main sights

• The cannon battery - guns still in place along the seaward wall.
• The powder magazine - the vaulted store behind the battery.
• The harbour entrance - the channel the fort was built to cover.
• The beach beside - the sand used by people from St John's.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Late afternoon gives the best light over the harbour. The site is open at all times.

Things to know

The fort is unrestored with loose masonry and no interpretation. There is no shade. Vendors on the adjacent beach can be persistent.

Nearby

St John's is southeast, and Dickenson Bay is north.

Key facts