Article Nº 1513 Fortress or defensive work Machico Vol. II · p. 91
São João Baptista (fort)
Original title: Forte de S. João Baptista
A fort built in 1708 on a rocky point east of Machico bay, which fired on a Miguelist brig in 1828 and became a cholera hospital in 1910.
Also called the fort of the Anchorage and of Desembarcadouro (‘landing place’). It was built on a rocky point east of Machico bay in 1708.
On 22 August 1828 it fired on the war brig Infante D. Sebastião of the Miguelite (supporter of the absolutist King Miguel) squadron, damaging it slightly.
In 1910 wooden houses were built on the esplanade and the fort was adapted as a hospital for cholera patients.
Places mentioned
Chronology
- The fort of São João Baptista at Machico was built; the fort of Porto da Cruz is also dated to this year.
- The Miguelist squadron bombarded Machico, landed troops there and occupied Madeira, entering Funchal unopposed on 23 August; the Forte de S. João Baptista fired on the brig Infante D. Sebastião.
- A cholera epidemic struck Madeira, causing about 550 deaths; Dr Carlos França was sent to direct sanitary services, and the lazaretto and a makeshift hospital at the Machico fort treated patients.