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A
military connection
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FILE
PHOTOS:US flag is lowered during the handover of Vernamfield
to the British in December 1949.
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As a result
of the "Bases for Destroyers" agreement between Franklin Roosevelt
and Winston Churchill, on July 18, 1941, thousands of acres of land
in the British West Indies were leased to the Americans for use
as military bases in exchange for 50 destroyers. The bases were
used to protect the outer perimeter of the southern United States.
In Jamaica, the lease, slated to last for 99 years, was most likely
terminated in the 1960s the decade of the island's independence.
In Jamaica,
Vernamfield at Sandy Gully in Clarendon (formerly known as Ft. Simmonds)
was a US Air Force Base. On her 1944 trip to Jamaica First Lady
Eleanor Roosevelt stayed at Vernamfield and also visited the USO
Club on Old Hope Road.
Vernamfield
was named after American Aviator, First Lt. Vernam, who was cited
for gallantry and credited with bringing down at least three enemy
planes and at least two balloons during World War I. Vernam was
cited for heroism and died of wounds after being taken prisoner.
The Distinguished Service Cross was conferred on him posthumously.
Today Vernamfield is a popular location for motor car racing.
Goat Island,
in Old Harbour Bay, was used as a Naval Base. During World War II,
numerous submarine maneuvers were run from there. Not surprisingly,
residents of Port Morant can recall hearing loud sounds at night.
The base was abandoned in 1949. If you happen to fly over Goat Island
you can still see some of its remains.
Rebecca Tortello
This
type of Destroyer (ship) was traded by the US to Britain.
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