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Brought to you from the forthcoming book by renowned historian
Dr. Lennox Honychurch.
Shirley, Sir Thomas ()
Governor of Dominica from 12 November 1774 to September 1778. His father had been Governor of the British colony of Massachusetts and Thomas had been born in the Bahamas. When he was made governor of Dominica the initial colonization of the island was still in progress and Shirleys primary concern was to build up the defences of the island against the possibility of French attack. He expanded on the early fortifications constructed since 1765 and began major works at the Cabrits, near to Portsmouth based on plans drawn up by Captain James Bruce of the Royal Engineers. He directed the construction of a fort around a small battery of 1765 to guard the entrance to Portsmouth harbour and this was called Fort Shirley. He engaged a famous early American architect, Peter Harrison of Rhode Island, to design the Commandants Quarters at the Cabrits and its ruins still stand today. Shirley left Dominica shortly before the French captured the island in 1778, leaving Lieutenant Governor William Stuart to deal with the attack and subsequent surrender of the British. Shirleys next posting was in Antigua where he continued his fortification building and where Shirleys Heights, overlooking English Harbour, is now a major tourist attraction.
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