Status:
Open to public. Unstaffed.
What:
Historic monuments; canons, gravesites, colonial military buildings; views
Cost:
There are no fees to enter the Morne Fortune sites, but if you enjoy these sites, please donate towards the upkeep here or Purchase our digital self-guided explorer tour here $25
Location:
Top of the Morne above Castries
Opening Times;
Monday – Sunday 9am – 5pm (?)
Rules:
Take nothing with you except what you came with, your photos, memories. Leave nothing behind.
Contact: 1 – 758 452 5005, info@slunatrust.org
There are numerous sights of interest in this area: including the old colonial buildings that now house the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College; the Four Apostles Guns, (where you can stand on the exact geographic coordinates of 14N 61W considered the location of Saint Lucia); the old English and French Cemeteries; ; the Powder Magazine – the oldest building (on the morne?) and from more recent history, the Iniskilling Regiment and the graves of the island’s two Nobel Laureates, Sir Arthur Lewis – Economics, and Sir Derek Walcott – Literature.
The site was fortified after the French in 1768, transferred their main settlement town from the exposed Vigie Hill to the present-day location of Saint Lucia’s capital, Castries.
Most of the earliest buildings no longer exist with only four of French origin remaining on the Morne – the Powder Magazine and three of the Guard Cells. Similarly, many of the British-built buildings have also been lost or damaged, for example, the Pavilion, residence of the Governor was destroyed in a hurricane of 1817. The remaining buildings on the Morne were built during the latter part of the 19th century.
In the latter part of the 19th century, Morne Fortuné served as a garrison to defend the Castries Harbour, which was then a coaling station. In 1906 the British garrison left Morne Fortuné.
Morne Battery (Apostles Battery)
Situated above the eastern side of Morne Road at the exact official coordinates of Saint Lucia, 14N 61W, the official War Office name for the site is Morne Battery, but it better known as the Apostles Battery, believed to be a reference to the four 9-inch rifled muzzle-loading guns which could shoot nearly 6 miles! These guns were installed in 1892 to protect Castries Harbour. When the site was abandoned in 1905, the guns were discarded over the abutments until 2015, when the Saint Lucia National Trust remounted the guns, with assistance from an Godfrey Weir, a British civil engineer seconded from People & Places to the National Trust
The Powder Magazine and Guard Cells
The Powder Magazine and Guard Cells, built by the French during the period of 1763-1765, are the oldest existing buildings on Morne Fortuné.
The Powder Magazine was built with walls ?? thick, for the storing of gunpowder /ammunition. This building is often mistaken for a chapel due to the abutments (? Is that correct) that feature prominently in its architecture. These were to increase structural strength in case of the incendiary contents exploding by accident or under attack.
The Guard Cells served as jail cells for soldiers and are situated next to the stables, which were also built during the period of 1763 – 1765.
27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot
This regiment of the British Army originated in Co Fermanagh in Ireland in 1689. Its very first overseas posting was in 1701 to the West Indies.
The capture of St Lucia in 1796 was the second time the 27th Regiment was involved in the capture of the island. The first was in 1778, but the island was later returned to France.
General Abercrombie credited the bravery of the 27th Inniskilling Regiment with playing a vital part in Saint Lucia’s recapture, giving the regiment two significant honours: The surrendering French garrison laid down its arms before their ranks and the regiment was given the unique honour of having its Colours flown from the flagstaff of the fortress for an hour before the Union flag was raised. Also in honour of this victory, In April 1836, the 27th was granted permission to bear on its Colours, the words St Lucia.
NEED TO HAVE the Saint Lucian soldiers role included in here!
The French and British Cemetaries
These are the burial grounds of French and British soldiers and civilians on the Morne. The only visible sign of the French burial ground near to the British Cemetery are two nameless tombs.In the British cemetery lay some of the past Governors of St. Lucia. The last Governor to be buried there is Sir Ira Simmons in 1974. This was also the burial grounds of a few civilians, military personnel and their families. The earliest known grave is that of “Emillia, wife of Major-General, Alex Wood, C.M.G.” who died on November 8th, 1810. There were also mass graves at this site, of persons who died from epidemics of Yellow Fever, Cholera etc.
Prevost Redoubt
