Protecting the Bay
Fort Frederick was built by the British in 1799 to protect Algoa Bay from possible French invasion. Ironically the fort never got to fire a shot in anger in all the time it was in commission.
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11/01/2010
The Fort and a museum
I have posted various view from the top of the Donkin Lighthouse before, but here is one I haven't. Looking south, you can see Fort Frederick in the background between the apartment buildings while the light green building in the foreground is the Prince Alfred Guard Museum.
23/12/2009
Fort alley
I have featured Fort Frederick before (also here). I just though I'll show a slightly different angle. This of an alley between the old block house and the outer wall of the fort.
01/11/2009
Heritage Day
Tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read this), 24 September, is Heritage Day here in South Africa. Heritage Day is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. Here in Port Elizabeth there will be several Heritage Day celebrations with onr of the main ones being a "Save our…
23/09/2009
Captain Francis Evatt
In front of Fort Frederick, Port Elizabeth's oldest building, visitors will find the grave of Captain Francis Evatt. Widely known as the father of Port Elizabeth, Captain Evatt commanded Fort Frederick from 1817 - 1847. He supervised the landing of the 1820 British Settlers who was brought to shore under the protections of his soldiers, and provided them with provisions and canvas accommodation. He was originally buried in the St Mary's Anglican Church in the city centre and was later…
02/06/2009
then and now … the baakens valley
We have received some fascinating photos of old postcards from John, an ex PE resident who now lives in UK. Here is a view of the Baakens Valley taken from Fort Frederick on Friday ... and here is how it looked around the turn of the century....The buildings up on the hill are all new, as the racially integrated South End was demolished by the Apartheid Government in the late 60s. If you want to read more, click on the…
16/09/2008
FINALLY!!!! Inside Fort Frederick
We have whinged in the past about the ridiculous situation in which one of the city's major tourist attractions is almost impossible to see because it remains locked most of the time. Those tasked with opening it somehow never get round to doing so, and complaints to the powers that be elicit a nonchalant "we'll look into it" response. However, on Friday we decided to try again and EUREKA it was open. So here is a view from inside Fort…
14/09/2008