This sign is next to a cut benchmark located just before the the north gateway into the Royal Naval Dockyard as you approach from the cruise ship docks at Heritage Wharf. A sign adjacent to the benchmark dives the history of the Ordinance Survey cut benchmark. The sign is inscribed:
THE BROAD ARROW
The Broad Arrow, of "crow's foot", is the traditional symbol of British
military property and is found throughout Bermuda on milestones and
boundary stones, several fine examples of which are on display at the
Maritime Museum. The Broad Arrow is often accompanied by letters such
as WD (War Department) or BM (Bench Mark). Since it was also used as
a reference point, it frequently appears with a number.
The Broad Arrow appears in many places in the Dockyard; it is set onto
many of the bollards and appears in several places on the ramparts as
survey reference points.
The origins of the Broad Arrow as a mark of Royal ownership lie in the
formation of the Royal Artillery during Marlborough's wars in the 1690's
when Lord Romney was appointed Master General of Artillery and
adopted his family's coat of arms, the Broad Arrow, as one of the badges
of Ordinance Corps. The symbol has been used for many centuries,
even at one time on the clothing of prisoners. because the Ordinance
Corps was responsible for the British Government mapping service, until
recently known as the ordinance Survey, the Broad Arrow was used as a
height reference point or bench mark for surveying and mapping.
It has the advantage of being very distinct and easy to make with three
strokes of a pen or chisel.