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Fortin El Escambron, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Keith Ng © 2010

 

Escambrón Battery is located at the northwest tip of San Juan Island, adjacent to the existing Escambrón Beach. Built between 1771 and 1801, the battery was built on the site of a former military installation. It is mentioned and shown on historical maps, 1851, 1871, 1873, 1881 and 1887 but without providing a description of the nature of this fortification. It was part of the First Line of Defense that once extended through from Punta Escambrón to the north, the Fort of St. Jerome, the Battery of San Ramon, and San Jeronimo Polvorín to Bastion San Antonio in the south. The walls were demolished in sections between 1908 and 1938. It also supplemented the protection offered by the Fort of St. Jerome and the Fort of San Antonio.

 

The Fort has been preserved and converted into an attraction. On this day, the waves were exceptionally strong. Despite warnings from the local police, brave souls ventured closer to get a better view of the wave action.

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Uploaded on January 24, 2010
Taken on January 26, 2012