Convict's Bay, Bermuda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Convict Bay |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°22′49″N 64°40′25″W / 32.3803°N 64.6737°W |
| Type | Royal Engineers Yard. Company offices |
| Site information | |
| Owner | War Office |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1864 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1864–1957 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Royal Engineers |
Convict's Bay is a small bay located in St. George's Harbour in Bermuda. It sits right next to Ordnance Island. This bay has a long and interesting history, especially with the military. It was once a base for the Royal Navy and later for the Royal Canadian Navy.
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A Look Back: The History of Convict's Bay
Convict's Bay got its name because it was once used as a place to hold people. The British government used old warships as floating prisons. These were called "prison hulks." They had used similar ships in New York City during the American Revolution.
From Ships to Army Base
In 1799, one of these large prison ships was brought to Somerset Island, Bermuda. Another arrived by 1824. In the 1860s, Convict's Bay became part of the Army's property. It was joined with the nearby St. George's Garrison. The Army used the bay for different purposes. At first, it was a yard for the Royal Engineers. They were a special group of soldiers who built things.
Military Use During World War II
The area continued to be used by the military until World War II. During the war, the soldiers moved out. This made way for the Royal Canadian Navy to use the bay. They set up a training base there called HMCS Somers Isles. After the war, in the 1950s, the military decided to sell off these lands.
Convict's Bay Today
After the military left, Convict's Bay changed. It is now a quiet residential area where people live. If you walk around the neighborhood, you'll see street names that remind everyone of its past.
Street Names and Their Meaning
Many of the street names in Convict's Bay tell a story about its history. They reflect the time when soldiers lived and worked there.
- Convict's Bay Lane: Named after the bay itself and its early use.
- Barrack Hill: "Barracks" are buildings where soldiers live. This name shows where soldiers' homes might have been.
- Barrack Street: Another street named after the soldiers' living quarters.
- Old Military Road: This road was likely used by military vehicles or personnel.
- Grenadier Lane: A "grenadier" was a type of soldier.
- Red Coat Lane: "Redcoats" was a nickname for British soldiers because of their red uniforms.
