The History of Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard

Even though the British Royal Navy sailed out in the 1950s, every inch of the Dockyard is still steeped in maritime history. Why did the Navy set up shop here in the first place? Location, location, location. Bermuda is between Europe and the New World, so it was the perfect spot for the Navy’s western hemisphere activities. Things had gotten complicated in the late 18th century, thanks to a new, independent country known as the United States of America. In order to solidify and maintain its presence in the Atlantic Ocean, the Royal Navy needed a proper headquarters. So, in the 1790s, work began on Ireland Island on Bermuda’s West End. The result was the Royal Naval Dockyard.

The War of 1812

The Dockyard played a pivotal role in the final war between the U.S. and Great Britain. In the summer of 1814, more than 5,000 troops and Royal Marines were deployed from Bermuda to lay siege to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. An interesting tidbit: Francis Scott Key was inspired to write America's national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, during the bombardment of Baltimore while being held captive in a ship that had sailed from the Dockyard.

The Gibraltar of the West

For nearly a century and a half afterwards, the Royal Naval Dockyard stood proudly as a sign of the British Empire’s maritime might. It was an important strategic outpost during the first and second world wars, providing much-needed repairs for ships about to see battle. The Dockyard was a huge boon to the island’s economy, employing hundreds (sometimes thousands) of Bermudians. But because of the mid-20th century’s changing global landscape, the Royal Navy left Bermuda in 1951. Gradually, the Dockyard became the vibrant cultural destination it is today.

The Dockyard Today: Things to See & Do 

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BERMUDA

Located in a former fortress known as The Keep, The National Museum of Bermuda is packed with impressive exhibitions detailing the island’s history. The facility incorporates the Bermuda Maritime Museum with its vast collection of seagoing artefacts, many from the Royal Navy’s time here. The Keep itself is incredible: it was built to guard the entire naval base against attack and features seven irregular bastions and ramparts. Its views of the island and the Atlantic are breathtaking. Don’t miss the Commissioner’s House, which was built for the civilian commissioner in charge of the Dockyard. The painstakingly restored building is the oldest cast iron frame residential building in the western hemisphere.