On March 8, 1744, a devastating explosion shook the Antiguan Naval Dockyard, now known worldwide as Nelson’s Dockyard, claiming the lives of eight enslaved African men: Billy, London, James Soe, Caramatee Quamono, Dick, Joe, Johnno and Scipio.

For centuries, their identities and contributions remained unrecognised, overshadowed by history. In recent years, however, the 8th of March Project has worked tirelessly to honour their memory and illuminate the essential role of free and enslaved Africans in the dockyard’s development.

2025 Theme: Built on Legacy

Entering its sixth official year, the 8th of March Project continues to highlight the lives and contributions of these men, ensuring their names and stories are preserved. Over the past five years, the project has uncovered and shared vital research with the St. Paul’s community and the wider Antiguan and Barbudan public, deepening the understanding of the dockyard’s historical significance.

The project also underscores the UNESCO World Heritage status of Nelson’s Dockyard, emphasising its Georgian-style architecture within a Caribbean context and its representation of the interchange of human values in architecture, technology, and cultural development. In 2025, the focus will shift towards the architectural legacy left by African labourers and the National Parks Authority’s role in conservation and preservation.

Uncovering a Forgotten History

The 8th of March Project is dedicated to reconstructing the daily lives of the enslaved and free Africans who worked in and around Nelson’s Dockyard during the 18th and 19th centuries. Through archival and archaeological research, the initiative seeks to strengthen the historical and cultural connections between present-day Antigua and its past.

In 2020, the National Parks Authority unveiled a memorial exhibit at the Dockyard Museum, marking the anniversary of the 1744 explosion. Since then, the project has expanded, incorporating educational outreach, community engagement, and artistic tributes to deepen historical awareness.

A significant milestone was reached in 2021 when the Naval Dockyards Society awarded a £1,000 grant to support art students from Antigua State College, enabling them to create commemorative artwork. These pieces were later exhibited and auctioned at the annual commemoration event, further integrating art and history in remembering the past.

2025 Commemoration and Activities

This year’s activities will include a themed “Rum in the Ruins” event  at the  Blockhouse and a hike from Dow’s Hill to Blockhouse, open to all.

Preserving the Past, Building the Future

Historian Desley Gardner, the mastermind behind many of these events, said “The 8th of March Project is just a first step into understanding the lives of our ancestors who lived and worked in the Dockyard. I hope that  highlighting their contributions and presence will add deeper meaning to a space we all have come to love. It is much more than a Dockyard, it is our legacy.”

Remember these names: Billy, London, James Soe, Caramatee Quamono, Dick, Joe, and Scipio.