Beyondships Cruise Destinations
  • Cruise Destinations and Ports
  • Cruise Ship Profiles
  • Cruise Travel News
  • Beyondships Cruise FAQs
  • What's New
  • Cruise Articles
  • Cruise Interviews
  • Cruise Links
  • Cruise Home Page
  • Canada New England Cruise Destinations
  • Caribbean Cruise Destinations
  • Cruise Ship Tours
  • Notices
  • Beyondships Art
  • Privacy Policy
  • Althorp
  • Blenheim Palace
  • Broadlands
  • Stratfield Saye
  • Hever Castle
  • Hatfield House
  • The Vyne
  • Osterley Park
  • Chatsworth
  • Highclere Castle
  • Beyond Downton Abby
  • Chiswick House
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
  • Kew Palace
Martinique Overview
Martinique History
Martinique Cruise Port
Martinique Attractions: Fort de France
Martinique Attractions: St. Pierre
Martinique Attractions: Sacred Heart Basilica
Martinique Attractions Diamond Rock
Martinique Attractions: Anse Cafard Slave Memorial
Review: Visiting A Rhum Distillery
Review: Empress Josephine House


Caribbean cruise destinations

CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:



MARTINIQUE


DIAMOND ROCK

Diamond Rock, Martinique, Le Diamant
 Off the southern coast of Martnique is Diamond Rock. The remains of a volcanic plug, rising almost vertically from the sea, Diamond Rock gets its name from its gem-like shape and the fact that in certain lights, the Rock appears to glitter. However, while Diamond Rock is geologically interesting, it is best known for its unusual history.

During the Napoleonic Wars, a small British naval squadron took up station in the waters around Martinique, harassing French warships, privateers and merchant ships. In 1803, the squadron's commodore ordered that cannons be placed on Diamond Rock. The Rock lies in a strategic position in the straits between St. Lucia and Martinique and because of the height of the rock, cannons placed there could not only command the straits but also fire upon ships entering and leaving Fort de France.

Accordingly, the British took guns from their ships and hoisted them up the sheer sides of the Rock. 120 sailors and officers built fortifications, living in the caves on the Rock. Because this was entirely a Royal Navy operation, the commodore classified the Rock as a “stone frigate” and gave it the name “HMS Fort Diamond.” This unusual designation was confirmed by the Admiralty in London with a slight alteration of the name to the “sloop Diamond Rock.”

The stone frigate was very successful. For 17 months, the French made various attempts to capture the island but the British were able to drive them off. Finally, Napoleon sent a fleet to do battle with the Rock. The French set up a blockade and were able to put a landing party ashore. However, the attackers could not scale the vertical sides of the Rock. The British did not surrender until they were almost out of water, food and ammunition.
​
Britain still views the Rock as being part of the Royal Navy and so all Royal Navy ships passing the Rock are required to accord it appropriate honors.
​
Diamond Rock is uninhabited today. It is covered with undergrowth and cacti. While going onto the Rock is difficult, there is a viewing platform on the Martinique coast from which you can see the Rock jutting majestically out of the sea.  ​
Diamond Rock, Martinique, Le Diamant
For more about cruising to Martinique:

Click here for our introduction to Martinique
Click here for a brief history of Martinique
Click here for our page on Martinique's cruise port
Click here for our page on St. Pierre
Click here for our page on Fort de France
Click here for our page on the Sacred Heart Basilica​
Cruise destination travel guide - Martinique - Martinique Attractions - Diamond Rock
Beyondships Cruise Ship Profiles
​
(Information about cruise ships)
BeyondshipsArt.com
(Museum profiles, Art reviews, and Original art)
Beyondships LLC
Notices
Privacy Policy
Beyondships Cruise Ship Pictorials and Reviews
(Photos, videos and reviews of cruise ships)