Fort Montagu is the oldest but also the smallest of Nassau’s three fortresses. It was built by Peter Henry Bruce in 1742 to protect the eastern flank of the harbor on what is now New Providence Island facing Paradise Island. This less than formidable, pillbox-shaped citadel had a dubious track record in battle. It was attacked three times – by Americans in 1776, the Spaniards in 1782 and the British the following year. Each time it was quickly defeated.
