40 Fascinating Facts About Saint Lucia | Page 11

During the Battle of the Saints - a navel battle in the Caribbean between the British and the French that took place April 9 to April 12, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War – Admiral Rodney sailed from there to intercept the French troops. Under Rodney's leadership, the British defeated the French and saved Jamaica for the British Empire. In 1909, when whaling in Saint Lucia was legal, part of the complex was used to process whale oil. That ended in 1952 when legislation to control whaling was enacted. In 1808 two barracks were built there. In 1972, a causeway was build to connect Pigeon Island to the mainland. Throughout the 19th century, Fort Rodney was used as a navel base and was abandoned in 1901. During WWII, the US built a Naval Air Station there and used the island as a communication station. It was deactivated in 1947. From 1937 - 1940, Pigeon Island was leased to British actress Josset Agnes Hutchinson. She returned in 1947 and established a yachting industry. But, in 1970 she gave up the lease and retired to England in 1976. In 1979, the island was named a national park. In 1992, it became a national landmark. Sources: https://slunatrust.org/sites/pigeon-island-national-landmark/ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places/fort-rodney-0012391 FORT RODNEY HILLTOP AT PIGEON ISLAND, ST LUCIA IN STUNNING 360° BY DJ MINDLESS