450 A, FE. Verrill—The 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 overhanging cliffs of considerable height. 
Figure 18.—Castle Island from Charles Island; a. Ruins of King’s Castle; 0. 
The Citadel or Devonshire Redoubt ; ce. Stone Sea-wall or Palisade; e. Bar- 
racks. 
The south side has a lower cliff or bluff. Along the crest 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, 1899, 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 
