450 A. JE. Verrill — 77/e Bermuda Islands. 



Most of the ancient forts now distinguishable were built of the 

 limestone found close by, which was often of poor quality for build- 

 ings. All are now in ruins, for they were mostly abandoned before 

 1680, and several have never been occupied since 1630, though later 

 ones have been built on the same sites to take their places, in several 

 instances. 



Castle Island is the most interesting of these islands to the visitor, 

 for it is the one that was first fortified (1612), and its picturesque 

 ruins are much more extensive than those of the adjacent islands. 

 This is a rather high, small island, of a little more than three acres, 

 and with only one small cove where boats can land, situated on the 

 south side. The northern side and the ends consist of perpendicular 

 or overh anoint: cliffs of considerable heiffht. 



Figure IS. — Castle Island from Charles Island; a. Ruins of King's Castle: b. 

 The Citadel or Devonshire Redoubt ; c. Stone Sea-wall or Palisade ; e. Bar- 

 racks. 



The south side has a lower cliff or bluff. Along the cresl of this 

 was built a wall of masonry, with a gate at the landing. This wall 

 is still standing and in fair condition, except at one point, where a 

 small section was thrown down by the high seas and violent winds 

 of the September 12, 1809, hurricane. This wall, in its present form, 

 like some of the other old works, probably dates only to the period 

 of the war of 1812. But in 1626 a large number of men were 

 employed here in enlarging the fort and building " palisados," which 



