Forts: Fort Fincastle - Nassau, Bahamas

Fort Fincastle

Nassau, Bahamas

Fort Fincastle

GPS: N 25° 04.416 W 077° 20.314

Short Description:

Fort Fincastle is located at the top of the Queen's Staircase on Bennett's Hill in Nassau, Bahamas.

Long Description:

A wooden framed sign near the entrance to the fort recounts the history of the fort. it is inscribed:

{Silhouette of a Cannon}
Fort Fincastle 
     c. 1793

Welcome

Fort Fincastle 

One of a series of fortifications built during the late 
1600s and 1700s, this sturdy fort helped to 
protect the island of New Providence and Nassau
harbour. Fort Montagu to the east and Fort
Charlotte to the west also remain standing, as do a
series of small batteries across the island.

Completed in 1793, Fort Fincastle stood
watch over the town of Nassau and its harbour to the 
east, serving primarily as a lookout post. Though 
originally armed with seven cannons, this small fort 
was never tested in battle. 

A second plaque attached to a limestone block near the ground is inscribed:

BAHAMAS HISTORICAL SITE

FORT FINCASTLE

{Seal of the Bahamas}Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, a
Royal Governor (1787 - 1796), whose second title was Viscount Fincastle.
The fort, shaped like an old paddle wheel steamer, was built to protect 
the city from invasion but saw little action. it served as a lighthouse until 
1818 and was subsequently used as a signal tower.  

The Harbor from Fort Fincastle