Once upon a time, English soldiers defended Tortola against invading sailors from atop Fort Purcell. 
Eventually, it became the largest military fortification in the Virgin Islands, but for the last 50 years or so, none of the now crumbling structure was visible to passers-by.
That changed this weekend when dozens of mostly young volunteers and VI history enthusiasts gave up their Saturday morning to help clear the rubbish and excess bush from the site near Pockwood Pond that is also known as “The Dungeon.”
“This is one of the most important historical sites in the BVI,” said Governor Boyd McCleary at the cleanup. Mr. McCleary and others hope to see the site, which once housed more than 1,000 English soldiers, become a heritage park.
“The intention is to work with the owners and work with the National Parks Trust” to achieve that goal, Mr. McCleary said.
See the May 5, 2011 edition for full coverage.