Fort Haldane, Military fortress in Port Maria, Jamaica

Fort Haldane is a ruined fortress on a hill above Port Maria, facing the sea. Only two cannons and the remains of several outbuildings survive; the storerooms, barracks and main garrison building were destroyed by a hurricane in 1780. The cannons sit on turntables that allowed them to swing almost 180 degrees.

The fortress was built in 1759 during the Seven Years' War and named after General George Haldane, Jamaica's governor at that time. It was part of Britain's broader effort to secure its Caribbean territories against competing colonial powers.

The fort became a focal point during Tacky's Rebellion in 1760 when armed groups raided its weapons stores. It reflects how much colonial authorities feared losing control of their coastal trade routes.

The site sits on elevated ground with open views across the harbor, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploration. The access paths can be uneven in places, so allow time to move carefully through the terrain.

Benjamin Robins, an English scientist and friend of Governor Haldane, calculated the gun placements using his work on ballistics. He concluded that two high-accuracy cannons at 1,000 ft above sea level could defend the whole port. Their carriages ran on turntables and tracks, letting each gun swing almost 180 degrees and recoil freely.