Fort Duvernette to be rehabilitated

On Wednesday, June 23 2010, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust signed a funding agreement with the Embassy of Finland in Caracas for the rehabilitation of Fort Duvernette.{{more}}

Visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines to announce this Project is Ambassador of Finland Pasi Patokallio and Project Director Johanna Kivimäki.

The rehabilitation project entitled “St. Vincent and the Grenadines Fort Duvernette Access Project” will undertake the following: rebuild the jetty, install protective netting, erect signage, install garbage receptacles and repair the steps leading up to the Fort.

Fort Duvernette belongs to the National Trust, having been conveyed to the Trust back in 1971, is one of the several forts and batteries constructed during the colonial era of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, thus the site remains integral to the cultural heritage of the island.

The site is a 19- foot high volcanic plug made of hard columnar basalt just off the South shores of mainland St. Vincent. Fort Duvernette has two batteries, one at 150 feet elevation commanding the shipping route around the South coast through the Bequia channel, and the other larger battery is at the summit. The Fort’s cannon emplacements allowed in an Easterly direction for the defense of the important town of Calliaqua, its sheltered careenage and anchorages, and in a Westerly direction for the defense of Greathead Bay.

Added to this, Fort Duvernette has a unique ecosystem, as it is a roosting site for Frigate and Tropicbirds and many other birds (they perch on the Southern site which is not accessible by man). The islet is also rich in flora and fauna such as lizards, iguanas, and butterflies. Fort Duvernette is a perfect site for bird watchers.

Upon completion, Fort Duvernette stands to add to the eco-tourism/heritage product of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.