Pigeon Island National Park

The American revolution brought rivalry for the control of the Caribbean to a peak after the French backed the American rebels. The British had control of much of the Caribbean and the French with the help of the Spanish wanted to break this monopoly.

To keep an eye on the French, the British recaptured St Lucia and established a naval base on Pigeon Island in 1778. From here, lookouts could see and monitor the movements of the French at their base in Fort Royal, Martinique to the north.

During the winter of 1781-82, French Admiral Compte, Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse in Martinique outfitted 33 French ships who were to sail in a convey with other merchantmen and 9,000 French troops to join with the Spanish for the invasion of Jamaica. However, Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney learned that the French were sailing on April 7 and caught the French fleet on April 12 in the Battle of the Saints.

Here Rodney invented some new tactics as a matter of circumstance. Up to this point, fleets would line up in two opposing lines and fire canon at each other. However, two gaps developed in the French lines and Rodney sailed his ships through them. He was thus able to fire at the middle section of ships from two sides and was able to fire canon from both sides of his ships, doubling his firepower. These tactics won the day and were later used in the battle of Trafalgar.

These facts are all illustrated in the interpretation center which occupies the partially rebuilt officers quarters and mess dating from 1824. Visitors can also view the ruins of enlisted men's barracks and other such buildings. A hike up to the lookout point also gives an idea of the strategic importance of the location which protects Rodney Bay.

During WWII, the United States Navy leased this base as a communications center.

This national park is blessed by a beach on one side and large breakers on the other. There are several interpretation trails and the prominent wildlife species is the Mongoose.

The park is 44 acres and has now been joined to the mainland by a causeway built in 1972.