Fort Young (Dominica)

This article is about a historic military fort. For the hotel, see Fort Young Hotel.

Fort Young
Roseau, Dominica
Fort Young Show map of Dominica Fort Young Show map of Caribbean
Coordinates	15.29647°N 61.38624°W / 15.29647; -61.38624
Type	Fortification
Site information
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Built	1770
In use	No
Materials	Stone
Battles/wars	1778 Invasion of Dominica (American Revolutionary War)

Fort Young was a major military installation on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It was built by the British in 1770.^[1] The fort was named for William Young, the island's first British governor.^[1] Today, only ruins remain of the fort, and the site is the location of the Fort Young Hotel.^[1][2]

History

17th and 18th centuries

In 1699, during the first French occupation of Barbados, a fort was built in Roseau, present-day capital of Dominica. In 1770, during the first British occupation of Barbados, a new fort was built at the location.^[3] The new fort was named "Fort Young" for William Young, the island's first non-military British governor.^[1] Young ordered the fort's construction during the time of the American Revolutionary War.^[1] The fort was expanded by Captain Bruce, Royal Engineer, to contain 17 cannons.^[4][5][6]

Illustration of French troops attacking British fort on Dominica

French plans for Fort de La Reine in 1778

In 1778, the French successfully invaded Dominica and capturing multiple forts including Fort Young, and overtaking the island.^[7] During this second occupation by the French, the fort's name was changed to Fort de La Reine.^[8] Additions were made to the fort,^[9] including improvements to the barracks, storeroom, and ramparts.^[8] Dominica remained controlled by the French until 1784.^[7] The island was returned to British control under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. On the January 10, 1784, a cannon salute was fired from Fort Young as Governor John Orde arrived via frigate to retake possession of Dominica.^[7]

Cannon at the Fort Young Hotel entrance

Cannons at Fort Young Hotel entrance

19th century to present

From the 1850s to 1960s, the fort was used as the headquarters of Dominica's police force.^[1][9] In 1964, Fort Young Hotel was built on the site.^[1][10] In 1979, Hurricane David destroyed a significant part of the fort's remains.^[9] The courtyard of the hotel retains the fort's original flagstone walkways.^[1][2] 19th-century cannons are located in the hotel's foyer^[11][12] and at the entrance is a large stone that was once used to mount horses.^[13] In 2023, hotel renovations included a new bar and lounge set in the fort's barracks, and a new fitness center at the level of the fort's ramparts and near the original flagpole.^[14][15]

References

1. Gravette, Andrew Gerald (2000). Architectural heritage of the Caribbean: an A-Z of historic buildings. Signal Books. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-902669-09-0.
2. "Fort Young Hotel:A Stylish and Savvy Blend of the Old and the New". Panonthenet. January 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
3. About Dominica: Nature Island of the Caribbean : a Detailed Tourism-oriented Guide to Dominica. Voice Publishing Company. 1981. p. 4.
4. Sigurdsson, Haraldur; Carey, Steven (1990). Caribbean Volcanoes: a Field Guide: --Martinique, Dominica and St. Vincent--. Geological Association of Canada, Toronto '91 Committee.
5. "Morne Bruce Garrison Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
6. Honychurch, Lennox (1975). The Dominica Story: A History of the Island. Honychurch.
7. Boromé, Joseph A. (1969). "Dominica during French Occupation, 1778-1784". The English Historical Review. 84 (330): 36–58. doi:10.1093/ehr/LXXXIV.CCCXXX.36. ISSN 0013-8266. JSTOR 562321.
8. Honychurch, Lennox (2019-08-01). In the Forests of Freedom: The Fighting Maroons of Dominica. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-4968-2377-9.
9. McCanse, Anna (2011). Dominica (Other Places Travel Guide). Other Places Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9822619-7-2.
10. "Fort Young Hotel". The Telegraph. 2016-08-04. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
11. Christina Paulette Colón; Darwin Porter; Alexis Lipsitz Flipin; Danforth Prince; John Marino (23 August 2010). Frommer's Caribbean 2011. Frommer's. pp. 252–. ISBN 978-0-470-61446-4.
12. James Henderson (1 October 2005). Caribbean & the Bahamas. New Holland Publishers. pp. 237–. ISBN 978-1-86011-212-6.
13. Barzey, Ursula Petula (2023-03-06). "14 Historic Caribbean Hotels That Tell a Story of the Region's Past". Caribbean & Co. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
14. Niland, Dana (2023-12-10). "In Dominica, a Major Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort Has a New Look". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
15. "Dominica's Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort Set to Complete USD$18 Million Reimagination". Breaking Travel News. 19 October 2013.