The tale of Scotts Head and drunken British troops [VIDEO]

Background

Scotts Head is a small, vibrant fishing village on Dominica's south west coast. In fact, Scotts Head is the southernmost village on the island. It is well known for its panoramic views, afforded to anyone who talks up to small hill called Cachacrou (named by the Kalinagos).

History

What is not so well known is the [somewhat] funny story about the French invasion of 1778.

The British captured Dominica from the French in 1761 and the French had been looking for the best opportunity to exact their revenge. They got this opportunity in 1778, while the British was fully engaged in the American Revolutionary War. 

French spies rallied support of sympathetic French-speaking Dominicans and French inhabitants of Scotts Head. These new agents then visited British troops stationed at the Cachacrou fort on the night of September 6, getting them drunk and spiking the cannons with sand. French ships sailed from Martinique in the south during early morning hours on September 7, storming the fort and catching the weary British troops by surprise.

Once the fort was captured, the French fired a celebration signal, which was the first notice of the invasion the British had. The French eventually gained control of the fort at Morne Bruce, overlooking Roseau, and the British surrendered. Dominica remained in French hands until the end of the war, when it was returned to British control.

Here's a recent image of Scotts Head:

© 2020 Yuri A Jones | Behind Scotts Head, captured at Scotts Head, Dominica (available as a canvas print here.)