Watford Island, Bermuda facts for kids
Watford Island is a small island located in Bermuda. It's part of a group of islands that make up this beautiful British territory. For many years, Watford Island has played an important role in Bermuda's history, especially concerning its military past.
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Watford Island's Past
Watford Island has a long and interesting history, especially linked to the British military. It was once a very busy place, changing its purpose several times over the years.
Early Days as a Prison
In the 1840s, Watford Island became part of a large British naval base in western Bermuda. At this time, it worked closely with its neighbor, Boaz Island. Both islands were turned into a prison. This prison was built to house people who were sent to Bermuda to work.
These workers helped build the Royal Naval Dockyard on Ireland Island. This dockyard was a very important place for the British Navy. Before the prison was built, the workers lived on old ships called "hulks," which were not very healthy places to stay.
A Hospital for Workers
Watford Island also had a hospital for these workers. Before this hospital was built, they had to go to a hospital on Ireland Island. Sadly, this original hospital building on Watford Island is no longer there. However, another building used to keep sick patients separate, especially those with diseases like Yellow fever, still stands today. There was also a cemetery on a small hill on Watford Island, close to the hospital, where some of the workers were buried.
Becoming an Army Base
By the 1860s, the workers were no longer needed in Bermuda. So, Watford and Boaz Islands were given to the British Army. The army used them as a military base. To make things easier, the bridge that connected the two islands was replaced with a man-made land bridge. This effectively joined Watford and Boaz Islands into one larger piece of land. The channel between them became a sheltered harbor.
After the First World War, the number of British soldiers in Bermuda was reduced. In the 1930s, Watford and Boaz Islands were given back to the British Navy. They were then turned into a base for naval aircraft, known as Royal Naval Air Station Bermuda.
After the Wars
After the Second World War ended, the air station was mostly closed down. In the 1950s, both islands were handed over to the local government of Bermuda. Many of the old buildings became empty and fell into disrepair. Some were even torn down. However, one building on Watford Island was turned into police barracks in 1956, though it no longer serves that purpose today.
