Legendary sailor Charles Francillon probably wouldn't be overly impressed with the state of the place where he briefly resided in the early 19th century.

For a start, he wouldn't even be allowed into the once proud Admiralty House building, because it's completely surrounded on every corner by threatening 'No Trespass' signs.

And if he did venture beyond the red tape, he'd be well advised to tread extremely carefully because the rotten floorboards look like they'd give way as soon as anyone sets foot on them, while the roof has already started falling in.

Not that that appears to have stopped some people taking up residence in Admiralty House — leaving behind their shoes, bottles of pop and drugs paraphernalia amid the piles of rubble.

The debilitated property and unkempt gardens are a major source of annoyance for residents in Spanish Point, who are calling for the area to be restored to its famous best — or even for the dangerous building to simply be demolished.

Mother-of-three Erica Rance told The Royal Gazette when Up Your Street visited Pembroke West: "Admiralty House used to be one of the nicer kept parks on the Island, but they've let it go to rack and ruin."

In truth, the history books say Charles Francillon didn't have the best of times during his stay at Admiralty House either.

A 16-year-old Royal Navy volunteer aboard HMS Spartan, the teenager resided in the building after contracting tuberculosis during the War of 1812 between the fledgling United States and Britain; at that time the building served as the Royal Naval hospital.

He is said to have died in 1813, with some unconfirmed stories saying that rather than succumbing to illness he was in fact killed by a jealous lover who mistook him for a rival as he walked through the park.

Francillon was posthumously awarded the rank of Midshipman; and out of a number of graves in the nearby park, Francillon's is the only one marked, but nobody can be sure why.

Not long after Francillon's death, Bermuda Government awarded the building to the Royal Navy as a gift; a few years later it was renamed Admiralty House and, from the 1860s, was home to British Admirals and staff.

The property was eventually handed back to Bermuda and during the 1960s was used by Bermuda Regiment. But now all that's left of it is the ramshackle old Admiral's ballroom.

Ms Rance, who attended nursery in the building as a child, said it is now very unsafe as well as an eyesore.

She added that the park, where her children have played over the years, has become badly overgrown and smells like a cesspit in places.

"It's sad that a Government park has got into a state like this," she said.

Visiting the park with The Royal Gazette, area MP Shawn Crockwell said: "Look at the state of the building. This is a historic building but it hasn't had any attention for decades now.

"It's probably not economically viable to restore it right now but it's a historic site and a landmark. It's unsafe as well. Can you imagine a tourist coming up here, wandering around and getting an injury?"

A few hundred yards up the road, Mr. Crockwell said a playground should be installed at Spanish Point Park for local families, while the lack of a public dock at Spanish Point Boat Club has been a bone of contention for some time.

Mr. Crockwell said his constituents are very proud of the history in their close-knit community, a point illustrated by annoyance over the allegedly incorrect naming of an area called Ladies Chambers.

A small park opposite West Pembroke Primary School was given that name in reference to the fact young women used to swim there some 80 years ago.

But 88-year-old Eunice Ford argues she used to go swimming in a spot by that name eight decades ago — and it wasn't anywhere near West Pembroke School. "Ladies Chambers has always been near the pontoons at Spanish Point Park. They put the sign in the wrong place," Mrs. Ford told this newspaper.

"I have spoken to (former Environment Minister) Ms Neletha Butterfield and I have spoken to (current Environment Minister) Mr. Glenn Blakeney but they don't do anything about it.

"I would like for them to change it. They don't know but they won't listen to me."

Another resident complained about infrequent buses between Hamilton and Spanish Point, particularly in the evening when people are tempted to drunk-drive.

"The official position is that there's not enough demand to facilitate the bus," said Mr. Crockwell. "What happens on a Friday night is that this encourages people to ride their bikes if they are intoxicated. If there could be some service at midnight, people could get back safely after a night of socialising."