Abandoned Areas of Jarvis Town Part 1

No, I haven't forgotten about the Centerville Rescue Comic.  

Now, Centerville and Spooktown (Orlando Grove) are not the only abandoned areas in Montserrat's giant capital city of Jarvis Town. There are several other areas that have been abandoned by the locals, and most of these are considered spooky. 

1. The Cape Fear River. 

During the Montserratian Civil War (15 January - 4 July 1920); the Liberals and the District 8 Nationalist Rebels (The Southern Forces called themselves the Confederates) led by General Roanoke, clashed for control over the Cape Fear River, at that time a vital shipping route for both sides. After 2 days of fighting, the Nationalists gained control over the river, allowing reinforcements to come in and assist the fight to take Wilmington. District 8 was still locked in battle by the time the Nationalists had raised their flag above the Presidential Palace in Sydney on the morning of July 4 1920, effectively ending the war. After the war, the Cape Fear River lost its importance, and instead became a nasty headache for even the most experienced ship captains. Constant storms and rough waters hampered both sides during the war, and was still a negative on the sailors afterwards. In 1931, after the loss of over 80 ships, the waterway was shut down: the wharves were shuttered, the navigation lights were snuffed out, and the entire area was vacated, including the expensive chemical works near Price's Creek which was not even a few years old. The abandoned waterway was eventually utilized by a lot of outlaws during the 1930's Civil Disturbances; but the Free People's Coast Guard were quick to catch on their trail. Afterwards, the authorities decided it was time block the river off. Several foreign navy submarines, originally destined for the scrapyard, were purchased by the Coast Guard and then placed at both entry points to the Cape Fear River to act sort of like blockade ships. However, these subs eventually met the fate that originally due to them; they were subsequently cut up by metal thieves (Known as "Metal Fairies" in Districts 1, 4, 5, and 7) and ametur scrap dealers. The Cape Fear River remains abandoned today, and an eerie darkness has settled over the river as a result. The silhouettes of the abandoned lighthouses and industrial buildings can still be seen across the dark sky. 


2. The Rigolets, Port Ponchartrain

Axl Reigns 's main character) his brother Rolf Steiner, and their fellow band members are from the New Orleans area, and know this notorious part of Jarvis Town far too well. The Rigolets, a vital waterway during the Civil War, was, like the Cape Fear River, constantly plagued by bad weather. Unable to contend with the bad weather, the people came up with a plan. The Free People's Army Corp of Engineers dredged the Southwest Pass in 1938, but it took longer than expected as the bulk of the Free People's Army Corp of Engineers were up in Great Middle Island extending the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was built in 1928, but extensions had to be made after it was discovered that Montserrat's humongous battleship, the HMMS Honiara, was too big to traverse the canal, so the FPACE had to widen it in order for the Honiara to fit into it. The Southwest Pass was eventually completed in 1939 (The Fool's War only began in 1941); and the old Rigolets waterway was shut down, along withs two old lighthouses. The Calcasieu River, also plagued by storms and bad weather, was also closed down after the opening of Southwest Pass. The nearby Port Ponchartrain Wharf was also subsequently closed as a result. As per normal, the area was eventually shrouded in what is called "Fright Clouds".


3. Lewes, District 8.

Lewes was once a thriving goods port, and a set of range lights once guarded the port and guided ships into the port. The front tower was built on the end of the breakwater, and the rear tower was built on Green Hill. After a much larger goods port was opened at Cherry Island, the Lewes Port was closed down. Green Hill became nicknamed Lantern Hill as the deactivated light light still glowed a creepy red light amid the "Fright Clouds".


4. Dark Hole East.

Located on the very active Great Lakes, this area, as its name suggests, is extremely dark and eerie. The wharf opened here after the civil war lasted only 5 months, and was closed with immediate effect. Visibility, even with the help of lights on skeleton towers, was almost zero. The abandoned lamp on both towers still glows eerily despite having been snuffed out permanently. 


5. Fog Point, Clay Island. 


Smith Island off the coast of Maryland is home to a fantastic array of activities, although the far end of the island has a really spooky reputation. The area, aptly named Fog Point, is always shrouded in fog, and this actual fog, not the "Fright Clouds" as seen elsewhere. Several skeletons towers of various shapes and sizes, (height inc.) were erected and fitted with different coloured high powered lights that cast their beams through the fog, making things a bit more creepier. A bright lamp was fitted in the lantern room of the old Fog Point Lighthouse, which was built on screw piles off the point. Nearby is Clay Island. An attempt to erect a settlement on the island went tits up after the buildings began to sink into the thick clay-like mud the island is aptly named for. The old lighthouse can still be seen listing to one side having sunk a bit into the mud. Fishing Battery Island, also nearby, is also abandoned but is a popular camping spot, and a simple lamp on a lattice work tower remains in active service.


6. Long Island, Boston/Quincy


Home to a civil war era fortification, the Free People's Air Force set up a missile base on the island during the cold war. The base was abandoned after the cold war ended in 1975 (not 1991/1992 like in reality). Urban explores have confirmed that there still missiles sitting on their launchers since the base was abandoned. However, their warheads have been removed. 

7. Rouleau

Engineers attempted to dredge a shipping lane through Rouleau in 1924, and although they succeeded, the notorious sands in the area had the last laugh. Constant sand movements caused ships to run aground, forcing the government to change their plans, and closed the Rouleau Waterway. 

To be continued....