Whitehaven Fort

The Whitehaven fort raided by John Paul Jones in 1778 in the famous attack, which shook the nation, is still visible - at least, part of it is. Taking place during the War of Independance this was the last landing on the English mainland by an enemy force and had great propaganda value at the time. The ruins lie at the end of Old Quay but were cut through by the road to South Beach. An archaeological dig was done at the time but the remaining interior has now been paved over and a large old anchor placed in the centre. Part of the shape of the fort can still be seen, along with the height of the walls which Jones scaled, by climbing on the shoulders of one of his men, and stood there waving for them to follow him. The fort structure is further confused, as part of it was adapted to create a lime kiln in the 1800's and the rest used as a smithy.

The Old Quay also has the Watchtower which dates to before the Jones raid and is in a much better state of preservation enhanced by recent renovation. This is shown on Mathias Read's "Birds Eye View" and is labelled "The Beacon" in Parr's engraving. It can also be seen in W.M.T. Turner's painting from North of the harbour plus many others. The Sundial dates from 1730. Stories of the raid also include mention of an inn which could have been on Old Quay.

Further signs of the raid include the large cannon above South Beach known as Old Tom which points out over Tom Hurd's rock. This is possibly one from The Half Moon battery, or Lunette, also spiked by Jones or could be one brought in, during the panic after the raid, to re-enforce the town's defences.