Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua

Commander K. at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua

On the beautiful island of Antigua (there is no "wa" in Antigua, by the way) you will find Nelson's Dockyard -- the only functioning Georgian Dockyard in the world and a National Park. http://nationalparksantigua.com/visiting.php?cat=69.  This was an outpost of the Royal Navy until 1889.  Horatio Nelson (see earlier post Horatio Nelson: Champion of Liberty, 1/15/12) served here in the Royal Navy from 1784 to 1787 as Captain of the frigate HMS Boreas when he was enforcing unpopular British navigation laws in the colonies.  Horatio Nelson met his wife Fanny Nisbet (1761 - 1831) on Nevis which is only 53 miles from Antigua.

English Harbor, View from Shirley Heights, Antigua

It is easy to see why the site of Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbor on the island of Antigua was so popular with sailors.  The hurricane season runs from June through September in this part of the Caribbean; Nelson's Dockyard is situated in a natural shelter from hurricanes.  To this day, ships are brought here to ride out approaching hurricanes.

Shirley Heights affords the best view of English Harbor.  You will also find an old guardhouse that has been converted into a bar here...

Old Guardhouse / New Rum House

You can find old cannon that once guarded the approach to English Harbor...

At Nelson's Dockyard you will find more cannon and a Dockyard museum...

Reminders of Nelson are easy to find...

Explore the Dockyard museum for more images and recollections of Horatio Nelson...

Bust of Lord Nelson, Antigua

You will find a Flag representation of Nelson's famous order to his fleet just prior to the Battle of  Trafalgar...

"England Expects that every man will do his duty!"

There are many reminders of the faded glory of the Royal Navy...

After fully exploring Nelson's Dockyard,  Commander Kelly suggests beating a tactical retreat to a pleasant watering hole such as the Admiral's Inn (http://admiralsantigua.com/), where one can discover the healing powers of rum and reflect on the faded glory of the past...

View from the Admiral Inn, Nelson's Dockyard