High Knoll Fort facts for kids
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High Knoll Fort is a strong fort built by the English East India Company on the island of Saint Helena. This island is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. High Knoll Fort sits high up, about 584 metres (1,916 ft) above sea level. It is also about one mile (1.6 km) south of the old town of Jamestown. The fort was reopened on December 18, 2010. Today, it is a popular place for tourists to visit, especially those arriving on cruise ships during the summer months (January to April).
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What is High Knoll Fort?
High Knoll Fort is a special type of fort called a redoubt. This means it was built as a strong, enclosed place where soldiers could defend themselves from all sides. It stands high above Jamestown, watching over the town. The fort was first built to help protect Saint Helena from possible attacks by French invaders. It was meant to be a safe place for the islanders to go if there was an invasion.
How the Fort Was Built
The first part of the fort was built in 1799. It was a round tower, sometimes called a Martello tower, similar to one found in Simon's Town, South Africa. This tower was made to protect the back areas near another defense spot called Ladder Hill. Later, in 1874, the Royal Engineers rebuilt the fort. They made the tower part of the bigger fort you see today.
Fort's History and Uses
High Knoll Fort has had many different uses over the years. Before it was rebuilt in the late 1800s, it was known as the Citadel. It is the biggest and most complete fort on Saint Helena.
Prisoners and Quarantine
During the Second Boer War, some prisoners from South Africa were kept at High Knoll Fort for a short time. There were other prisoner camps on the island too, at places like Broadbottom and Deadwood. Much later, the fort was used to keep animals like chickens, sheep, and cattle separate when they were brought to the island. This was to make sure they were healthy and did not bring diseases.
NASA's Tracking Station
In the mid-1980s, the American space agency NASA used the fort. They had a technician there who ran a small tracking station. This station likely helped to follow spacecraft as they orbited Earth.
Restoring the Fort
The Saint Helena National Trust has started a project to fix up and restore High Knoll Fort. The fort is considered a very important building and is listed as a Grade I building. This means it has special historical importance and needs to be protected.
