Royal Naval Dockyard - 200 Years - Sandys Parish, Bermuda
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 32° 19.507 W 064° 50.098
20S E 327279 N 3577952
A plaque celebrating the formation of the Royal Naval Dockyard on the northern end of Sandys Parish is located in front of the Clocktower Shopping Mall.
Waymark Code: WMMPBW
Location: Bermuda
Date Posted: 10/19/2014
Views: 3
The Royal Naval Dockyard was built in 1809 on the west end of Bermuda. Due to the fact that Bermuda is surrounded by reefs, it is the only location in Bermuda that is accessible to large ships. At one time it was the largest British naval base outside the United Kingdom. It provided a vital strategic defense for British interests in the western Atlantic Ocean from the War of 1812 until after the Second World War. The area is defended by a fortress once known as the "Gibraltar of the West.”
Today the dockyard buildings have been restored and converted for commercial use. The buildings, that once housed the administration offices for the British Royal Navy, are now home to the Clock Tower Shopping Mall which contains boutique shops, arts and crafts studios and restaurants. The fortress is home to the National Museum of Bermuda
A plaque embedded in a 4' high base is inscribed:
The Royal Naval Dockyard
Celebrates 1809 - 2009
200
The West End
---
Bermuda
This plaque was unveiled by
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN,
Accompanied by
HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009
To Commemorate the 200th anniversary of
The Royal Navy Dockyard &
The 400th anniversary of the settlement
of Bermuda
Commissioned by the West End Development Corp.
WEDCo Chairman, the Hon. Walter Lister, JP, MP