Pigeon Island (Saint Lucia)
| Pigeon Island | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Waters | Caribbean Sea | |
| Geographical location | 14 ° 5 '34 " N , 60 ° 57' 54" W | |
|
||
| length | 715 m | |
| width | 480 m | |
| surface | 17 ha | |
| Highest elevation | Signal Hill 109 m |
|
Pigeon Island is a 17 hectare island rock in the area of Gros Islet in the north of Saint Lucia . Originally a real island in the Caribbean Sea , it was artificially connected to the west coast of the main island in 1972 by creating a strip of land . The material came from the excavation at Rodney Bay Marina . The island has two peaks. The northern Signal Hill is the highest point at 109 meters (359 feet). The second peak is to the southwest and is marked by Fort Rodney . It is an important historic site with several fortifications including the 18th century British Fort and Fort Rodney , both of which were used by the English to watch against French ships from neighboring Martinique . Today it forms the northern end of Rodney Bay with the beaches Pigeon Island Beach and Reduit Beach at Rodney Bay Marina ( Rodney Bay Marina ). The island was designated a national park in 1979 and a national landmark in 1992 and has been managed by the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) ever since . The island hosts the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival on a regular basis .
history
Arawak and Caribs originally lived on the islet. The Caribs used grottos on the island's coast and from there went fishing, looking for mussels and hunted birds. In the 16th century, the French pirate , François Le Clerc , used Pigeon Island as a hiding place. He made an agreement with the Caribs that they would not attack his ship.
In 1778, the British Admiral George Rodney conquered Pigeon Island, drove out the locals and built a fortress on the smaller of the two peaks (Fort Rodney). In order to have a clear field of view and fire, Rodney ordered all trees on the island to be felled. From the higher of the peaks, Signal Hill , Rodney could watch the French Navy in Martinique .
In the following years the British erected other buildings, including two barracks , an officers' mess and a lime kiln . In 1782, Pigeon Island was the starting point for Rodney's campaign against the French fleet, which he defeated at the Battle of Les Saintes .
gallery
Officers Kitchen
Fort Rodney
Pigeon Island as seen from the entrance
.jpg)
