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Southwest Harbor Bluff

Support the Museum.

Help preserve the history of the islands.

Mystery on the Bluff

High on a rocky promontory on the Caicos island of Providenciales, ospreys nest atop a giant boulder undisturbed.

Nearby lie remnants of human passing. Carved on the bluff rocks are names, dates, messages. The earliest date is 1791. Just below and to the right, more recent and more intriguing, four well-formed lines call out to the curious sightseer:
[S]HIP St. LOUIS
BURNT
AT SEA
1842

Who chiseled this message in stone?

What was St. Louis’s destination?

When was the message carved?1842?

Where did the ship burn?

Why carve this message on a lonely bluff of a remote island?

Open our researcher’s journal and pursue old newspaper accounts, insurance records, and letters. Thrill to revelations of the unexpected. Watch as promising leads crumble like aged newsprint.

The journal is a chronicle of the search for the story of St. Louis and how its name came to be carved in a rock high above a lonely harbour in 19th-century West Indies. We will post entries as we determine what befell [S]HIP St. LOUIS, BURNT AT SEA, 1842.

The Journal

09 February 2000

Got this E-mail from the Grand Nagus. Like it will be as quick and easy as he thinks.

M– Right about now you are probably looking for new challenges. Like some nice research project that can be concluded in a few days and make a great story for the Astrolabe and a big splash in the T&C. So here’s your chance: The St. Louis Story. There is a rock at Southwest Harbour Bluff on Provo that bears the following clear inscription:

[S]HIP ST. LOUIS BURNT AT SEA 1842

I sent that intelligence to David Barron of the Northern Shipwrecks Database. We’ll see what he reports, then you can follow up.

N–

13 February 2000

New message from Don

M– David Barron of the Northern Shipwrecks Database sent this info

Donald, The details are scant on this vessel. The Nova Scotian newspaper indicates that she burned on August 30th, 1842, and was lost. She was only described as a “ship” (generic?) sailing from Boston to New Orleans with possibly 24 persons on board. The people on board were rescued by the brig Impulse which was subsequently wrecked on Caicos Reef, September 3rd, while still carrying the crew of the St. Louis. Neither incident is believed to have resulted in any loss of life. If you require a hard-copy print-out, the details for such a request are available on my web site listed below. Good hunting. Later, Dave Barron

Northern Shipwrecks Database – 65,000 records on CD ===============================================
Northern Maritime Research 44� 40′ N. & 63� 40′ W.
PO Box 48047, Bedford, Nova Scotia. Canada B4Z 3Z2 http://www.northernmaritimeresearch.com

Armed with so much information from the recent past it seems to me that we ought to be able to find the accounts of some of the survivors, or at least their names and the like. Maybe the proper places to pick up the story are Boston and New Orleans, with the possible addition of Newfoundland where the boat was built, and the National Archive where there might be shipping records. I think Dave Barron is mined out, but a follow-up with him might be in order. Try newspapers and local historical societies first. Seems to me that you ought to be able to make significant progress in one week’s time. After all, most of it can be done with phone calls and maybe some it can be done through e-mail and the Internet. Possible benefits include: Astrolabe article, Historical Archaeology article, your next book, praise, and honor.

Good Luck. –N

Now where did Don get the idea the St. Louis was built in Nova Scotia? Best get copies of details Dave mentions at his web site.

2 March 2000

Got Dave Barron’s printouts from his Northern Shipwrecks Database. Includes the info on both St. Louis and Impulse. Two weeks isn’t bad to send letter with US$2.00 to Canada and get a response. Didn’t Don say I could do this entire project in a week? He must be applying the Keith Corollary of Hoyt’s Law.

Barron’s reference data might be useful. Says location of Nova Scotian newspaper is Dal. Lib. Halifax, NS. What library is that?

And why am I getting data on a ships sailing from Boston to New Orleans and New York to Jamaica from a newspaper in Nova Scotia? What’s the connection? Maybe a copy of the actual newspaper article would help. If I could just figure out what Dal. stands for.

Dave mentions his internet server is at Dalhousie University. Could that be Dal. Lib?

What do you know! Yahoo.com has listing for Dalhousie University: www.dal.ca. And the library page: www.library.dal.ca. With phone and fax numbers. A quick phone call and voila! The library does have the Nova Scotian on microfilm. I fax a request for the article referenced in Dave Barron’s Northern Shipwrecks Database.

Now, it’s wait and see what comes. In the meantime, I have other avenues to investigate.

27 March 2000

Received the printout from the Nova Scotian newspaper. Nothing in it that was not in the Northern Shipwreck Database EXCEPT for the fact that the information comes from the New York Express.

So now I must find a copy of the New York Express for the dates between about 3 September (date the Impulse wrecked) and 13 October 1842 (the date the news appeared in the Nova Scotian).

Still no real insight into why the news of these wrecks was printed in Canada.

Editor’s Note: The journal continues and many other clues have been pursued the last several months. Those entries will be posted forthwith. Hold your breath!

Projects

  • Burrell Steam Traction Engine
  • Fort St. George
  • Slave Ship Trouvadore
  • Governor’s Cannon
  • Maravedi Cove
  • Molasses Reef Shipwreck
  • Sapodilla Hill
  • Southwest Harbor Bluff
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The Museum is a publicly funded not for profit organization.

It is not a part of the TCI Government and receives no regular support from the Government. Only your Membership & Support makes it all possible. Become a member today — we can’t do it without your help.

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Click here to view a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

The Colors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

RED was chosen to represent the nation’s capital, Grand Turk. The color is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE was chosen to represent Salt Cay. The color came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE was chosen to represent South and East Caicos. The color comes from the Spiny Lobster and fish and reflects the fishing industry in the “Big South.”

TAN was chosen to represent Middle Caicos. The color is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN was chosen to represent North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The color is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home of Wade’s Green Plantation, the most successful of Caicos Islands cotton plantations.

TURQUOISE was chosen to represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. The color is taken from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sail. These turquoise waters also contribute to our newest industry, tourism.

PINK was chosen to represent the beautiful conch shell, flamingoes and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW represents God’s glory as the sun shining down on all our beautiful islands and cays. The sun also contributes to our newest industry, tourism.

View a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

View Timeline

A Few Artifacts You’ll See at the Museum

Our collections represent the rich historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.

Lucayan Duho

Photo courtesy of Joanna Ostapkowicz. The Duho is one of the rarest artifacts in the museum’s collections. It was used a ceremonial seat for the cacique or chief of the Lucayans, the first inhabitants of these islands.

Fresnel Lens

The Grand Turk Lighthouse was erected in 1852 and was originally designed to burn whale oil and had an Argand reflector lamp. In 1943 the lighthouse was converted to a Fresnel Lens one of these lenses is now on display at the Museum.

Swivel Gun

The Molasses reef wreck, an early Spanish Caravel was equipped with three types of breech-loading swivel guns, one type is shown above. The swivel guns are thought to be anti-personnel weapons placed wherever convenient along the ship’s rail.

Salt Industry Post Card

The museum has diverse collection of early postcards of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most post cards depict scenes on Grand Turk, the capital and from the salt industry.

Take a Look
TCI Governor

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

H.E. Nigel Dakin CMG

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Museum on Grand Turk surely stands in one of the most majestic settings of any museum, anywhere! Perched on the edge of the Columbus Landfall national park. The 200-year-old building, “Guinep Lodge”, which houses a multitude of artifacts covering everything from the pre–Columbian Indians to the modern age, is a museum in its own right. The west facing building has stood firm and witnessed 200+ years of incredible TCI sunsets and has withstood every major hurricane since before records began.

The National Museum plays a vital role in recovering, preserving, recording and displaying the history of these island for all to see, enjoy and learn from. The museum’s archive is a veritable treasure trove of information, with enough information to fill two museums. With thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts from multiple archeological digs from around the TCI over the last 50 years, un-displayed artifacts from ancient warships, parish records or births, deaths and marriages dating back over 200 years; a veritable gold mine of information, just waiting to be discovered.

The museum is not only an exhibition facility for local history and artifacts, but also undertakes important work in the community with multiple events throughout the year and supports all the TCI schools, has a regular summer camp and kids club for our budding historians and archeologists of tomorrow.  The Grand Turk location includes a “science building” which is a fully fledged restoration facility to stabilize artifacts before they are displayed or stored in the archive. All of this work has been quietly undertaken since the museum was founded 30 years ago. There is also a campus on Provo and there are exciting plans underway to construct a new, multimillion dollar purpose-built facility for the wider enjoyment of our fascinating history. The Governor’s Office is proud to have supported the TCNMF over the years with vital capital projects.

Whether you are a local, or a visitor to our beautiful shores; I encourage you to visit and support the Turks & Caicos National Museum and absorb our colorful and surprisingly diverse local history.


H E Nigel Dakin CMG

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

Hon. Josephine Connnolly

"It is a pleasure as Minister with responsibility of Heritage to welcome you to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum website. This Gem of an operation is perhaps the most notable establishment in regards to sites of historical interest. Since its establishment in 1991 it has always been an intricate part of our tourism product.

As a supporter, I believe the National Museum’s success depends on all resident and visitors; and as Minister I am committed to strengthening our tourism product through the infusion of authenticity and the increase in awareness of the National Museum in the development of heritage assets for sustainable tourism development.

Visit and explore the Grand Turk and Providenciales locations and experience our heritage and culture through interactive displays and exhibits. Special thanks is extended to the National Museum, a tangible product, a repository for artefacts and documents, providing a true island experience.".

Hon. Josephine Connnolly
Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

"My interest in history and research goes back to my years as a student at the then Grand Turk Secondary School, where my teacher and later mentor, the late Helena Jones Robinson instilled a curiosity in me to appreciate context.  At that time, not fully appreciating the impact that curiosity would have on me, I sought only to please my teacher.

Pursuing tertiary education at various institutions, in various countries and at various levels, my initial foundation of inquiry was further stimulated.  Libraries and museums would form a very important part of my education, specifically during my studies in Jamaica, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Returning home after my studies abroad, my first visit to the Museum so captivated me that I began to tell all persons, visitors and islanders alike, that a visit to the museum was a MUST! The quaintness, yet thorough organization and presentation of artifacts of various kinds avowed me.

I found tremendous joy in taking my TCI Studies students to the Museum, standing back and listening to their expressions of excitement and curiosity as the curators and assistants would walk them through the various displays and presentations.

The Jamaican expression “likkle but tallawah” (small but strong) aptly fits our Museum.  The significance of this institution to our history and culture cannot be over stressed.

Welcome to The Museum.  A combination of history, culture and enchantment awaits you."

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Historic Photo Gallery of the Turks and Caicos Islands

All images and the design of this Web site are protected under federal copyright laws. Any downloading, duplication or reproduction of any part of this Web site by any method whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation is strictly prohibited. Photos and/or usage rights are available for purchase please contact us for details.

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Locations

Guinep House, Front Street

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2160
From the US (786) 220-1159
Hours Vary - See our schedule under Locations

The Village at Grace Bay

Development Office and Caicos Heritage House
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2161
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

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