A new book about the history of the Cabrits and Portsmouth area has been released by anthropologist and historian, Dr. Lennox Honychurch.
The book, entitled “Dominica’s Cabrits and Prince Rupert’s Bay: History and Nature notes” gives an overview of this important bay from its volcanic formation to the present day.
It covers the settlement of the area by Amerindians from South America some 5,000 years ago and describes the main Kalinago village on the upper banks of the Indian River, showing examples of stone tools found around the Glanvillia swamp.
The importance of the bay to early European adventurers is explained. Visits by pirates, traders and naval officers who came here to refresh their ships with wood, water and trade with the Kalinagos are recorded, often in the explorers’ own words.
The book shows the British plans for Portsmouth as the capital of Dominica, but goes on to explain how malaria and yellow fever carried by mosquitoes from the neighbouring swamps, caused the British to relocate to the inferior, but more healthy, location at Roseau.
The construction and social life of the Cabrits Garrison as one of the Caribbean’s strongest military bases is well covered. The role of enslaved Africans and the revolt of the 8th West India Regiment, as well as the Battle of the Saintes, which took place off the Cabrits, are all included.
The more recent history of Portsmouth focuses on shipping of produce, boat building, sugar, lime, cocoa and banana exports as well as yachting and tourism. The book climaxes with the effects of the establishment of the Ross University School of Medicine on the community.
Dr. Honychurch was born at Portsmouth and has been working to restore Fort Shirley at the Cabrits, mainly on a voluntary basis, for the last 30 years.
“Dominica’s Cabrits and Prince Rupert’s Bay: History and Nature notes” is published by Island Heritage Initiatives Ltd and is for sale at a price of EC $40, at Jays Bookstore, Roseau and The Cabrits National Park Visitor Centre at Portsmouth.
Congrats Lennox and thanks for your anthropological and historical contributions. Your writings have been an inspiration to many. Continue to share your knowledge and experiences
I need a copy of this. Where can I find it?
READ! did you read the ENTIRE article? Check the last paragraph again. (sigh)
lennox, keep up your great and much appreciated work for Dominica
good vibe dr. honey church. when ah get meh ah job im gonna buy meh one of them books
Great historian, we can depend on him to produce our history and cultural background.
Would it be possible to buy a few copies of this book on line as I leave abroad.
This book sounds interesting and educational. It is part of our Dominican history. Hope to purchase it sometime.
How could they have considered Portsmouth as the capital of Dominica? Did they not view Roseau then? Or merely saw Portsmouth first and decided that it should be the capital?
I wonder what was Roseau like in those days? Did it look smaller than Portsmouth?
Roseau is bigger than Portsmouth. To my knowledge there was only one main road in Portsmouth. Roseau is an excellent place as the Capital of Dominica.
Is this the reason why it was named Port’s-mouth? We know the meaning of “Port”.
Some questions. Any answers to them? Lennox could probably respond.
Maybe it reminded them of the Portsmouth City in UK..just a guess.You can read about that city if you google the name.
I know there is a Portsmouth in the UK.
Thanks for the comments and interest. Re the Portsmouth Roseau business.
When the British took over Dominica some 250 years ago in 1763, they sent out surveyors and engineers to lay out their colony. Sailing ships were the main form of transport in those days. Therefore they chose the place with the best harbour in Dominica as the capital.
It also had alot of flat land around it, which was rare in Dominica. They named it Portsmouth after the important seaport and naval base in England. In my book is their map of Portsmouth as the capital, going right up into Zikack.
They moved the capital to Roseau, because they found Portsmouth unhealthy as a result of the disease carried by mosquitoes. Roseau did not have a protected harbour. It was more difficult to defend in those days of war and the land around it was steep. But Roseau was more healthy and thus developed and expanded.
Thank you Lennox for the insight into Portsmouth. When I resided in D/ca, I visited Portsmouth a few times. I also attended a wedding in Portsmouth. I know some people as also the Douglases from Portsmouth. One of them reside in Ontario.
I have a fair knowledge of that area. I now realize if Portsmouth was expanded to Zikack and other outlying areas, it could have been as big a town as Roseau.
I wonder if they know this history? Is this taught in history classes?
I also met some people in Toronto, from Zikack and a few others from areas near Portsmouth. I will surely discuss this interesting topic with them; also with others whom I communicate with in other Canadian provinces and other areas of the world.
Those from Portsmouth and nearby will be happy to know it and to discuss it; no doubt proud of it too that Portsmouth was first chosen to be the Capital of Dominica. If they do not know it, I could imagine them informing others. It will make for a good conversational piece.
I am always happy to hear and read more about our Dominican history. I have a few of your books. In one of them I read how carnival began in Dominica at the time of slavery. It was interesting to read about it. Hope to purchase a few more of your books that I have not read.
Lennox, you are a gift, a treasure to Dominica. You never abandoned Dominica. I know you and knew your parents – nice people. Note all the good work you are doing as a Dominican Historian. You are greatly appreciated.
I always recall my father’s wise words to me as a young student, “You never stop learning until the day you die.” This is indeed true. I learned something about Portsmouth. Life is really an ongoing learning process. God bless you!
Portsmouth had a well sheltered harbor. Remember in those very early days transportation was by sea; big ships coming to bring goods and taking local produce away. Portsmouth has a big harbor and it was a good place for ships to berth and be secure in case of storms and hurricanes.
Can this book be ordered on-line??
It will be good if the versatility and productivety of the agricultural Estates in the Area during the 40s are mentioned in this book
Excellent!!!
I will be buying my copy as soon as possible.
That sounds great! I need a copy for my library.