Andre Hollinsid and his family truly live in ‘another world’ on Paget Island.

Paget Island is an intriguing, compact 36 acre isle owned by government. It stands like a guarding soldier in St. George’s Harbour and Mr. Hollinsid is the devoted caretaker.

The moment one sets foot on the wooden bridge that leads onto the island it seems like a magical place. One feels almost lost in time as you walk along the quiet paths and listen to the chirps of birds and the whistling of the wind.

The spice trees lend a splendid sweet aroma and there is a bounty of green fennel. In spring time the wild Easter Lilies contrast nicely with the fennel.

“I love nature and living here with my lovely wife, Zinna and our daughter. It is a sanctuary to me and I love it when I have a few quiet moments — that’s mostly in the winter from December until March,” he said. “I took over the job about 16 years ago when the previous caretaker retired. It is a lot of very hard work and I do it all from mowing and cutting to running the boats, setting up the campers — and I thrive upon it.”

Mr. Hollinsid, also a sea captain, is responsible for running the boat fleet. There are groups of campers each week for group retreats. Of course, special permission must be obtained from the Parks Department for all visitors and camping.

“Generally groups book a year in advance to get a spot here. There is a main cooking facility which seats 75 people and each camp brings their own cook. I do many things but I don’t have to cook!

“After the natural beauty, the best thing about our resort is our reverse osmosis system which pumps 4,000 gallons of water per day to accommodate our guests. Years back we physically carried water from the main dock to the various 12 properties. That was a huge task!” This beautiful, serene, island has been described as a cork in a bottle-neck, solidly blocking the entrance to St. George’s Harbour, and commands by its position, the old Ship’s Channel to the south of it. It occupies a highly strategic position, which has determined much of Paget’s history.

There is a splendid area prepared for having supervised camp fires, telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows near the stone which was cut to build Fort Cunningham in the 1800s.

The island is named for William, Fourth Lord Paget and is one of the most exciting islands in Bermuda due to the natural lagoon and the well preserved 19th century Fort Cunningham which crowns the Island.

The fort’s location was proclaimed by Captain Thomas Cunningham in 1815 who correctly identified the site as crucial defence of the mouth of the Narrows Channel according to Dr. Edward C. Harris, executive director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

It is quite a remarkable and elaborate structure designed as “polygonal trace” with a moat. According to Dr. Harris the Bermuda work may be one of the earliest examples of a system that proliferated in the 1860s.

The fort is conformed to various polygonal shapes and was completed in 1875. The magazines at the fort were extensively remade in the 1870s with additions in 1900 and the flanking galleries are 1820s originals. A unique spot on Paget Island is the natural lagoon located about 70 yards inland from the main entrance. During stormy weather the birds seek sanctuary here, along with smaller boats used and owned on Paget Island.

“Today the lagoon is enjoyed by squid who breed there. It is a very interesting spot to observe all sorts of birds too,” said Mr. Hollinsid.

The late historian, Terry Tucker, wrote that Paget Island had an interesting social history with neighbouring Smith’s Island and the whaling industry. In 1759 the honourable George Forbes owned the largest home on Smith’s Island and purchased Paget Island for the sum of $60. At the end of the 18th century it belonged to the Hinson family and there were fishponds, wharves, orchards, pasture and planting land.

After the Second World War the island was used for the Junior Training School for Delinquent Boys and in 1948 the late Arthur St. George Tucker, M.B.E., decided to finish cutting the channel between the lagoon and the old channel. The waters of the lagoon were brackish and this destroyed the mosquitoes and provides a natural harbour for the training school boats. “There are 87 small steps leading up to my caretaker’s cottage and 12 buildings comprised of separate dorms for girls and boys, various cottages and my house. I think that I am quite fit just by taking care of it all.

“I love the tranquillity and the aloofness here and I am always keeping a watchful eye on everything.”

Paget Island — another world