ANTONIO (St), a Dutch fort in Axim, on the gold coast of Africa. It stands on a high rock, which projects into the sea in form of a peninsula; and is so environed by rocks and dangerous shoals, as to be inaccessible to an enemy but by land, where it is fortified by a parapet, draw-bridge, and two batteries of heavy cannon. Besides this it has a battery towards the sea. The three batteries consist of 24 cannon. Its form is triangular; the building is neat, strong, and commodious for the extent, that being but small, on account of the narrowness of the rock on which it is built. The garrison is usually composed of 25 white men, and an equal number of negroes, under the command of a sergeant. It is maintained at the expence of the West-India Company; and, when well stored with provisions, is capable of making a long defence against any number of negroes. It is, however, as well as all other forts on this coast, liable to inconveniences from the heavy and continual rains, which damage the walls, and render frequent reparations necessary. This obliges the Dutch always to keep ready a quantity of lime or cement made of calcined oyster-shells, of which the coast produces great numbers.
This settlement was first founded by the Portuguese during the reign of Emanuel. They fixed at first upon a small point; where finding themselves insecure, they built the fort where it now stands. They were driven out by the Dutch in 1642; and, upon the conclusion of a peace with the States-General, the fort remained by treaty in the hands of the Dutch West-India Company, who have kept possession of it ever since.