Historical Forts of The Bahamas
Source: https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/forts
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
Historical Forts of The Bahamas
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Forts Of Nassau
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
The first man to contemplate the construction of a fort in The Bahamas was Christopher Columbus. After landing on the Island of San Salvador and discovering the New World, the intrepid navigator wrote to the King and Queen of Spain, expressing his admiration for the beauty of the Islands and emphasizing the need to secure them for Spain.
"I wished," he reported, "to give a complete account to Your Highness, and also to find when a fort might be built."
The Spaniards, however, made no attempt to fortify The Bahamas. On the contrary, a few years after their discovery by Columbus all the aboriginal inhabitants were transported to work the mines in Hispaniola (now known as the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The islands, abandoned, gradually fell under the control of Spain's greatest maritime rival, Britain. Privateers terrorized the Spanish Main and were quick to appreciate the importance of the Islands as a base from which to attack homeward bound Spanish galleons which were accustomed to "rendezvous at the noted port of Havana before their return to Europe."
Several forts, including a stockade one in 1687, were built at New Providence, which had become the headquarters of numerous privateers. The temptation to engage in piracy was strong - even the Governors of the Settlement, it is alleged, were obliged to co-operate or leave The Bahamas. The Spaniards frequently attacked their tormentors, sometimes aided by French ships, and in 1684 they attacked New Providence and completely demolished the settlement. The Governor was murdered, and most of the inhabitants fled.
In 1684 Charles 11 personally intervened to secure the enactment of a law for the punishment of pirates, but men undaunted by Spanish warships refused to be intimidated and in 1688 the refugees returned from Jamaica and established a community on more decorous lines. However, piracy continued to be one of the principal industries.
An Act was passed in 1695 for the erection of the present town and a fort, called Nassau after King William III.
Fort Nassau
Fort Charlotte
Fort Montagu
Fort Fincastle
All on one page: Fort Winton / Potter’s Cay / Hog Island (Paradise Island) / Old Fort
All information courtesy of the Department of Archives, and/or
Antiquities, Monuments,
Further information can be obtained from the booklet Historic Forts of Nassau
Quick Useful Links
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+1 242 604 4688
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Accessibility Tool
Content Adjustments
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Default
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Dyslexia Font
Color Adjustments
Monochrome
Tools
Mute/unmute
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Forts
Home
Forts
Non-Residents
Permits and Licences
Visiting The Bahamas
Arrivals and Departures
About The Bahamas Currency
Gaming and Casinos
Getting Married in The Bahamas
Medical Facilities
Boating to The Bahamas
Bringing Pets
Vaccinations
Foreign Embassies and Consulates in The Bahamas
Visa Requirements
Dining and Nightlife
Culture
Regatta
Performing Arts
Native Dishes
Home Coming
Music
Change of the Guard Ceremony
Junkanoo
Festivals
Visitor Registration for the People to People Programme
Ambassador Registration for the People to People Programme
Places of Interest
Forts
Historical Sites
Art Galleries
National Parks
Museums
Blue Holes & Caves
Weather
Recreation and Sports
Cricket
Sailing and Regattas
Golf
Boxing
Rugby
Diving
Fishing
Working and Residing
Visas
Permits
Residency
Records and Official Documents
Birth Registration
Birth Certificate
Marriage Licence
Marriage Registration
Marriage Certificate
Certified Copy of a Deed or Document
Adoption Registration
Adoption Certificate
Legalization of Documents
passport
News and Press Release
Consumer Protection Information and Complaints
Immigration
Citizenship and Naturalization
Work Permits and Work Visas
Residency
Home Owners
Historical Forts
Forts Of Nassau
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
The first man to contemplate the construction of a fort in The Bahamas was Christopher Columbus. After landing on the Island of San Salvador and discovering the New World, the intrepid navigator wrote to the King and Queen of Spain, expressing his admiration for the beauty of the Islands and emphasizing the need to secure them for Spain.
"I wished," he reported, "to give a complete account to Your Highness, and also to find when a fort might be built."
The Spaniards, however, made no attempt to fortify The Bahamas. On the contrary, a few years after their discovery by Columbus all the aboriginal inhabitants were transported to work the mines in Hispaniola (now known as the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The islands, abandoned, gradually fell under the control of Spain's greatest maritime rival, Britain. Privateers terrorized the Spanish Main and were quick to appreciate the importance of the Islands as a base from which to attack homeward bound Spanish galleons which were accustomed to "rendezvous at the noted port of Havana before their return to Europe."
Several forts, including a stockade one in 1687, were built at New Providence, which had become the headquarters of numerous privateers. The temptation to engage in piracy was strong - even the Governors of the Settlement, it is alleged, were obliged to co-operate or leave The Bahamas. The Spaniards frequently attacked their tormentors, sometimes aided by French ships, and in 1684 they attacked New Providence and completely demolished the settlement. The Governor was murdered, and most of the inhabitants fled.
In 1684 Charles 11 personally intervened to secure the enactment of a law for the punishment of pirates, but men undaunted by Spanish warships refused to be intimidated and in 1688 the refugees returned from Jamaica and established a community on more decorous lines. However, piracy continued to be one of the principal industries.
An Act was passed in 1695 for the erection of the present town and a fort, called Nassau after King William III.
Fort Nassau
Fort Charlotte
Fort Montagu
Fort Fincastle
All on one page: Fort Winton / Potter’s Cay / Hog Island (Paradise Island) / Old Fort
All information courtesy of the Department of Archives, and/or
Antiquities, Monuments,
Further information can be obtained from the booklet Historic Forts of Nassau
Quick Useful Links
The National Honours Society 2026 Call for Nominations
Budget Performance Reports
Budget Documents
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Hurricane
General Orders
Request for Expression of Interest
Hurricane Shelter Listing 2025
Install the BNEA APP
COVID-19 Frequent Asked Questions
Department of Labour’s Jobseekers Portal
Celebrate Bahamas
Load More
For Website Technical Support
Call and speak to a DICT Customer service agent.
+1 242 604 4688
Need to reach the DICT? Send us an email.
support@bahamas.gov.bs
Get in touch with our DICT support team.
get in touch
Explore frequently asked questions.
ask question
This site uses cookies to serve our services. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Okay, Thanks