About 16 kilometres from the mouth of the magnificent Essequibo River is where one can find Fort Island, formerly known as Flag Island. During the 16th and 17th centuries, this Island was once the capital of the colonies of Essequibo and Demerara.
The Court of Policy – Fort Island
The History of Fort Island
In 1775, Flag Island (Vlaggen Eyland in Dutch) was renamed Fort Island and on March 6, 1781, the island was captured by Capitan Day of Admiral Rodney’s British Navy Force.
But the British takeover was short-lived, as the French captured the island the following year. The Dutch regained control of the fort two years after and by 1796, the fort went into a long period of decline, as attention shifted to the colony of Demerara.
During the early occupation by the Dutch, the name of the island came about due to a large flag that was flown there as a guide for ships which is no longer in existence. According to the Guyana National Trust, during the 17th century Essequibo blossomed from a trading post to a colony and planters began to migrate to the mouth of the Essequibo River.
As such, to oversee effective governance and to protect the Dutch interest in the Essequibo a centre of government and defence was built.
The 1744 Fort Zeelandia
Features of Fort Island
Today, the sparsely populated island about three square miles in length and a mile in width, is far from the busy trading post it was in its early colonial days.
The island is better remembered for two important historical sites namely Fort Zeelandia and Court of Policy building which served as a church, court House and venture office.
Fort Zeelandia is a brick building that is in good shape built to defend the interests of the Dutch West India Company against European rivals.
This is due to extensive renovations 17 years ago, and is reputedly the oldest non-military structure in Guyana.
At its peak, the island was the seat of government for the colonies of Essequibo and Demerara, but as time went by, it was overgrown and a new capital was desired.
No longer the centre of government, the Court of Policy fell into disrepair and after years of neglect, the building in 2000 was restored by the Guyana National Trust.
Extensive works were done to the roof, windows, doors and other infrastructural works to enhance visitors’ experience.
The museum is frequented by locals on weekends and foreigners mostly during the August vacation period.
Another characteristic of the Fort (and evidenced by the cannons present to this day), is that it was a place of warfare.
Old Cannon at Fort Island
Did you know? This site, along with the Court of Policy Building, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List on November 15, 1995 in the Cultural category.
Life on Fort Island
It is believed that the name was changed to Fort Island since it houses Fort Zeelandia, the ‘youngest’ Dutch fort in Guyana.
Centuries ago, the fort was constructed closer to the mouth of the Essequibo River. This was so because the location gave the Dutch West India Company a more strategic vantage point than the other fort. This other fort used by the Dutch is called Fort Kyk-Over-Al which is located at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Mazaruni rivers.
Indeed, Fort Island was a hub of some sorts as Essequibo transformed from a mere trading post to a Dutch colony. One can only imagine how busy the island must have been during those times.
In addition, the island houses a health centre that serves other islands on the Essequibo River, as well as a nursery and primary school.
However, Fort Island is home to a small and close-knit community. And in some way or the other, tourism has become an economic activity for each person on the island- just like farming and fishing.
The Gun Powder Storage
A visit to Fort Island
Fort Island boasts the best preserved built evidence of Dutch settlement in Guyana. Approaching the island, the calmness of the water and peaceful atmosphere are quite in contrast to the menacing defences of Fort Zeelandia which was built in the 18th century. This was described by a visitor who visited the island.
The building has three chambers. That being said, the court in which the island houses was not only a Court House during the 17th century but a church and venture office as well. The church is the oldest surviving church building in Guyana. The sinister function of the building which was the venture office was where the enslaved were sold.
On the roof one can find mortars and swivel guns. Moreover, the monuments on the island are filled with rich history which is now transformed due to their maintenance.
Article References
- http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/05/15/fort-island
- http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/11/25/life-on-fort-island
- http://nationaltrust.gov.gy/fort-zeelandia-the-court-of-policy/
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/features/12/14/visit-fort-island/
