Hassel Island Historical Archive

Ft. Shipley Artifacts

Ft. Shipley was constructed during the British occupation of St Thomas, beginning in 1802.  It is in a remarkable state of preservation.   Apparently the relative inaccessibility of the site prevented any major borrowing of the stones for other structures.  It has a commanding view of the inner harbor, as well as the approaches from West Gregerie channel.

Ft. Shipley gun embrasure before clearing

Ft. Shipley guard house ruins before clearing

A drawing of the layout of Ft. Shipley made for Mr. Isidor Paiewonski in the 1970s

Ft. Shipley and the guardhouse after clearing

In the process of clearing the trail to Ft. Shipley, many artifacts were found, totalling a load of nearly 12 boxes, transported to the VINPS conservation lab on St. John where they have now been sorted and catalogued.  Among the artifacts were  bottle fragments (and at least one whole bottle), pottery fragments, and a wonderful clay pipe with  representations of an early steam locomotive (@ 1815) and an early steamship on the bowl.

Bottle fragments on the trail to Ft. Shipley

Pottery sherd on the trail to Ft. Shipley

Clay pipe bowl from the path to Ft. Shipley showing an early paddlewheel steamship

Clay pipe bowl from the path to Ft. Shipley showing an early steam locomotive

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