Fort Nieves-Amsterdam occupies a strategically quite important position: it is located at the confluence of the Kommeveine and Suriname rivers, near the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean . A large fortress was built to protect agricultural land in the upper reaches of both rivers [1] . It was an earthen structure in the shape of a pentagon. On its territory there were 5 bastions that went beyond the fortress itself. The initiator of the construction of the fort was the Society of Suriname .
| Fort Nieves-Amsterdam | |
|---|---|
| the nether Fort nieuw-amsterdam | |
 | |
| Location | The confluence of the Kommeweine and Suriname rivers, near the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean |
| Affiliation | |
| Coordinates | |
| Years built | 1734 - 1747 |
| Operation period | XVIII century |
| Battle / War | Battle of Suriname |
The formation of the "Society of Suriname" in 1683 was attended by 3 founders, including the city of Amsterdam . The purpose of his activity was to extract profits from providing protection and support to the colony.
The construction of the fort Nieve-Amsterdam began in 1734 . The Society of Suriname personally supplied the means of labor, resources and hired engineers. The construction was carried out by slaves.
By the time of the almost complete completion of work in 1747, the cost of the fortress amounted to more than 1 billion Dutch guilders . It was twice the amount of funds budgeted for, and even after the allocation of the latter, the costs increased significantly due to a number of delays and delays [1] . For example, even the bricks produced in the colony turned out to be of poor quality and unsuitable. That is why the ships transporting slaves from Africa were also engaged in the delivery of bricks.
In addition, the knowledge of the Dutch specialists who built the fort and the engineers about the conditions of the terrain environment was rather weak. Guest rooms and powder warehouses were built in accordance with the Dutch and therefore did not meet local conditions. Thus, the governor of Suriname, , wrote on September 25, 1744 : "Everything was built in such a way as if it was carried out far to the north."
It was very damp in the constructed brick powder warehouse, whereby the storage of powder in it was not possible. Other buildings, bridges, barracks for officers and soldiers quickly deteriorated due to the location of the colony in the tropics . For example, a significant number of woodlice divorced.
For further operation of the fort required long-term repairs and significant changes. The history of the fort, like any defensive structure, was not entirely successful. The British seized the fortress with ease as much as two times [1] .
In the XIX century, the fort more and more lost its importance. In 1872 a number of barracks was adapted for the maintenance of prisoners. Up until 1967, the only official prison in Suriname was located here. February 1, 1907 the fort finally lost the status of a defensive structure. This decision was taken by the Kommeweine district authorities [1] .
During the Second World War, the fort ensured the development of bauxite by the Americans , which was produced in the upper reaches of the river Suriname. The large cannons present in the fortress still vividly remind of this.
Also during the war years, 146 prisoners from Dutch India were held in prison. They were suspected of sympathy for the largest National Socialist Netherlands Workers Party . It was to this dark period in the history of the fortress that A. G. Besir dedicated his book “Green Hell” ( niderl. De Groene Hel ), published by the publishing house “Servo” in 1994 [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. History (English) (inaccessible link) . fortnieuwamsterdam.com . The appeal date is June 23, 2017. Archived December 2, 2008.
Links
- Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. History (English) (inaccessible link) . fortnieuwamsterdam.com . The date of circulation is June 23, 2017. Archived June 23, 2017.