Fort Willoughby, U.S. Virgin Islands

Fort Willoughby (previously Prince Frederik's Battery) is a historic fort on Hassel Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Fort Willoughby
Hassel Island, U.S. Virgin Islands
Remains of Fort Willoughby
Fort Willoughby is located in Caribbean
Fort Willoughby
Fort Willoughby
Coordinates18.1933°N 64.5549°W / 18.1933; -64.5549
TypeFortification
AreaHassel Island Historic District
Site information
OwnerU.S. Virgin Island's government
Open to
the public
Yes
Site history
Built1777-1780
In useNo
MaterialsStone

The fort was built in 1777-1780 by the Danish, who originally named it Prince Frederik’s Battery.[1] At that time, Hassel Island was part of the Danish West Indies. During their first occupation of the Danish West Indies (1801-1802), the British took over the fort and renamed it Fort Willoughby.[2] The British used the fort again during their second occupation of the Danish West Indies (1807-1815).[2]

Originally, the fort consisted of parapet wall, gun platform, barracks, magazine, and storeroom, as well as kitchen, cistern, and privy.[3] Today, the remains of the fort consist of the remnants of the magazine, barracks, and cistern.[4]

Fort Willoughby is protected within the Virgin Islands National Park.[5] It contributes to the Hassel Island Historic District,[6] which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.[1][7]

References

  1. "Fort Willoughby, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  2. Survey, Historic American Buildings. "Fort Willoughby, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI". www.loc.gov. United States Library of Congress. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  3. Virgin Islands National Park (N.P.): General Management Plan; Development Concept Plan; Environmental Assessment. United States National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. September 1983.
  4. The National Register of Historic Places. Vol. II. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 1976.
  5. "Virgin Islands National Park". National Park Service (nps.gov). United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  6. "Hassel Island Historic District". National Park Service (nps.gov). United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  7. "National Register of Historic Place Inventory Nomination Form: Hassel Island". National Park Service (nps.gov). United States Department of the Interior.
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