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Ross Island is one of the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, about 2 km east of Port Blair. It was the
Administrative Headquarters for the islands, before an earthquake rocked
it in 1941. The headquarters were then shifted to Port Blair. One can
see remnants of an opulent past in the ruins of the church, swimming
pool and the chief commissioner's residence with its huge gardens and
grand ballrooms. There is also a cemetery and a small museum managed by
the Indian Navy. The museum has on display a collection of old records.
Ross Island can be reached by
a short boat ride from Water Sports Complex. The island is controlled by
the Indian navy, which requires every visitor to sign in on entering.
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The small island, with its
treasure of ruins, became the hot tourists spot in the territory. The
island presently houses the ruins of the state Ballroom, the Chief
Commissioner’s House, the Government House, Church, the old 'Andamanese
Home', which was Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop
Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British
regime.
Ever since Dr. James Pattison
Walker arrived in Port Blair aboard the East India Company’s steam
frigate ‘Semiramis’ on 10 March 1858, this island remained under British
occupation till 1942. From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the
occupation of Japan. However, the allies reoccupied the island in 1945
and later abandoned it. During British occupation, this island was the
seat of power of the British.
How to
reach
Veer Savarkar International Airport also known as
Port Blair Airport
(IATA: IXZ, ICAO: VOPB), is a customs airport located 2 km (1.2 mi)
south of Port Blair and is the main airport of the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands of India.
Ross and Smith Islands are the twin islands in the Andaman and Nicobar
archipelago, joined together by a natural sandbar. Only a short 15
minute ride from Port Blair, these islands were the home of the
indigenous Great Andamanese who dwindled from 5,000 to just 28 within 20
years of the initial British occupation.
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