Betty's Hope, Antigua's first full-scale sugar plantation, was so successful that other planters turned from tobacco to sugar. This resulted in a huge increase of slaves, as sugar requires so much labour. From then until 1815, forty forts were built around Antigua's casts to protect the valuable sugar industry. It was to defend Falmouth, which was then the main town of Antigua, with the only church, which also served as court House. Fort George was built to be a place of last refuge, in case of invasion by the French or the Caribs.
Today there are still remains of very large cisterns in the complex.
By 1736, so many slaves had been brought in from Africa that their conditions were crowded and open to unrest. The present docks were formed by blasting away a small hill and spreading it on the surrounding reefs, a remarkable piece of engineering. Ships were brought alongside to be careened, which means pulling the vessel on its side so the bottom can be scrubbed and painted. Many ships and famous Admirals have been stationed at the dockyard, including Rodney, Hood and Nelson. It was given up by the Royal Navy in 1889, and is now administered by the National Parks Authority as an historic monument, yacht centre and tourist attraction.