Times of the Islands Summer 2024
Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, real estate, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities. Presents the "soul of the Turks & Caicos Islands" with in-depth features about local people, culture, history, environment, real estate, businesses, resorts, restaurants and activities.
Who inscribed the epitaph? On September 3 or 4, crew and passengers from the Impulse went or were taken to Providenciales by a small boat from the Impulse or by a wrecker. It is unclear where they were put ashore. The location of the wreck had been vaguely described as “Caycas Reef” (sic) by Captain Eldridge and as “a reef off Providence Caicos” by the U.S. Consul John Arthur. The location of the inscription suggests the Impulse wrecked near West Harbour Bluff. Another theory suggests someone from the St. Louis went to West Harbour Bluff and chiseled the inscription because he could see the wreck of the Impulse from there. Since wreckers typically operated from small sloops, it is unlikely that one would conduct salvage operations with the addition of 28 or more people from the Impulse on board. The crew and passengers from the St. Louis and Impulse would have remained on Providenciales until they left for Grand Turk aboard a wrecker on September 7, giving someone from the St. Louis plenty of time to chisel “SHIP ST. LOUIS BURNT AT SEA IN 1842” on a rock on West Harbour Bluff. Of course, it’s possible that someone from the wrecker or a local resident carved the inscription. In spite of all that has been uncovered while researching this story, the answer to who authored the inscription remains a mystery. Protecting the historic site The entirety of West Harbour Bluff is within the Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve Sloops such as this were used by wreckers to salvage vessels wrecked on the reefs around the Turks & Caicos Islands. Note that they were too small to take aboard an additional 28+ people from the St. Louis and Impulse. established by the Turks & Caicos National Trust. The Trust was established in 1992 to protect and safeguard the cultural, natural, and historical sites on the Turks & Caicos Islands. In addition to Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve, other protected areas include several 18th century Loyalist plantations, the caves on Middle Caicos, Bird Rock Point, Heaving Down Rock, Little Water Cay, and others. Damaging or removing natural and historical features or objects from these sites is prohibited. Deterioration and damage observed Unfortunately, over the years the inscriptions on West Harbour Bluff have shown signs of deterioration and dam- CHARLIE TODD The is a view of the West Harbour Bluff area looking to the east. The “St. Louis” inscription can be found to the left of the cove. The area is protected within the Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve. 60 www.timespub.tc
TMW2022.qxp_Layout 1 3/2/22 3:41 PM Page 1 TRUST INTEGRITY EXPERIENCE Serving international & domestic clients in real estate, property development, mortgages, corporate matters, commercial matters, immigration, and more. TWA MARCELIN WOLF ATTORNEYS AT LAW SINCE 1982 TELEPHONE 649.946.4261 | TMW@TMWLAW.TC WWW.TWAMARCELINWOLF.COM CHARLIE TODD This aerial shot looks down on the popular “Split Rock” formation that is part of West Harbour Bluff, which itself is part of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve. The area is frequented by pelicans, osprey, and herons. age—the missing letter “S” in “SHIP” and the presence of graffiti are examples. Since these rock formations are composed of calcium carbonate or limestone, depending on their age, they are soft and the inscriptions on them are susceptible to damage by both weather and sightseers. It is hoped this story will serve to inform sightseers and tour operators of the importance of the historic inscriptions on West Harbour Bluff and that visitors will endeavor to protect them from further damage and deterioration. a The author thanks Dr. Donald Keith of Ships of Discovery for the idea for this story as well as a copy of the consulate’s letter and log; Agile LeVin of VisitTCI.com; and Deborah Dodge for editing suggestions. Times of the Islands Summer 2024 61
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- Page 12: Exclusively available within The Tu
- Page 18: UNDERSTATED LUXURY AT THE WATER’S
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- Page 23 and 24: of the tidal wave was somewhere in
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- Page 27 and 28: creature feature Opposite page: The
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- Page 31 and 32: Flounder are mainly solitary creatu
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- Page 40 and 41: The beginnings—Bamboo Gallery On
- Page 42 and 43: quite petite.” Later that day whe
- Page 44 and 45: SHUTTERSTOCK
- Page 46 and 47: ELLINGTON OSBORNE The response This
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- Page 50 and 51: ANTHONY FORBES—TRIPLE A EVENT PHO
- Page 52 and 53: The return 3:45 PM Kell called his
- Page 54 and 55: DR. DONALD H. KEITH 54 www.timespub
- Page 56 and 57: The mysterious inscription The insc
- Page 58 and 59: GIDEON JACQUES DENNY This oil paint
- Page 63 and 64: esort report Opposite page: The 20
- Page 65 and 66: front desk; Aiesha Sealy and Romane
- Page 67 and 68: Grown on North Caicos Ocean Breeze
- Page 69 and 70: Donkeys possess several traits that
- Page 71 and 72: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
- Page 73 and 74: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
- Page 75 and 76: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
- Page 77 and 78: about the Islands Map provided cour
- Page 79 and 80: and either single phase or three ph
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TRUST INTEGRITY<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
Serving international & domestic clients<br />
in real estate, property development, mortgages,<br />
corporate matters, commercial matters,<br />
immigration, and more.<br />
TWA MARCELIN WOLF<br />
ATTORNEYS AT LAW SINCE 1982<br />
TELEPHONE 649.946.4261 | TMW@TMWLAW.TC<br />
WWW.TWAMARCELINWOLF.COM<br />
CHARLIE TODD<br />
This aerial shot looks down on <strong>the</strong> popular “Split Rock” formation that<br />
is part <strong>of</strong> West Harbour Bluff, which itself is part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Frenchman’s<br />
Creek Nature Reserve. The area is frequented by pelicans, osprey,<br />
and herons.<br />
age—<strong>the</strong> missing letter “S” in “SHIP” and <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong><br />
graffiti are examples. Since <strong>the</strong>se rock formations are<br />
composed <strong>of</strong> calcium carbonate or limestone, depending<br />
on <strong>the</strong>ir age, <strong>the</strong>y are s<strong>of</strong>t and <strong>the</strong> inscriptions on <strong>the</strong>m<br />
are susceptible to damage by both wea<strong>the</strong>r and sightseers.<br />
It is hoped this story will serve to inform sightseers<br />
and tour operators <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> historic<br />
inscriptions on West Harbour Bluff and that visitors will<br />
endeavor to protect <strong>the</strong>m from fur<strong>the</strong>r damage and deterioration.<br />
a<br />
The author thanks Dr. Donald Keith <strong>of</strong> Ships <strong>of</strong> Discovery<br />
for <strong>the</strong> idea for this story as well as a copy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> consulate’s<br />
letter and log; Agile LeVin <strong>of</strong> VisitTCI.com; and<br />
Deborah Dodge for editing suggestions.<br />
<strong>Times</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 61
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