10.11.09

A Visit to Fort Scaur, Bermuda






Fort Scaur was a big deal for a long time, to the British and to the American military, but it's now a wonderful place to spend an afternoon walk or picnic. There are 22 acres of gardens to see and stroll, and a hefty climb up to the Early Bermuda Weather Stone with its cutesy inscription. 
On a clear day, it provides a view of the entire island of Bermuda, from east to west.

Also known as Scaur Hill Fort, this old historical slice of land was important to the British who, after the American Civil war, feared the US would invade Bermuda. At that time in history, Bermuda was a centrally-
located pivot point of British Colonial power in the New World, and Fort Scaur
 was heavily armed and fortified for this reason. Scaur Hill Fort was the grand master of forts in
 Bermuda, with most of the British fortifying funds in 
the 1800's going into this particular fort. It's situated high up on a hill and was used from 1870 to 
World War II, when American troops from the 52nd Coast Artillery Battalion were stationed there. Back in its early days,
 Fort Scaur was equipped with enormous cannons that were mounted on recoiling platforms. 
The guns are gone now, but visitors can walk along the gallery and look out the windows where the cannons once were housed.

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