Lighthouses of the Bahamas are an iconic symbol of the country’s history. The Bahamas has the only remaining hand cranked light houses in the world. See them lit by the keepers, learn their stories and let us know if you think they should be saved.
This video features interviews with Dave Gale of the Bahamas Lighthouse Preservation Society, as well as Hope Town Lighthouse Keepers Franklyn Sweeting and Jeffery Forbes Jr. and former lighthouse keeper Caiaphas.
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- November 19, 2011
- Posted by: Conch Salad
- National Issues, New
- Abaco, Bahamas, culture, History, Inagua, Lighthouse, sailing, sea, tourism
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Save The lighthouses! have seen the one in Hopetown many times.
Do whatever it takes to save all the lighthouses !
My family and I have benn visiting the Abaco s for 15 years. One of, if not the main reason we choose to come to places like Hope Town, is because of the poeple, and their culture. If I want modern places, beaches , etc. I’ll stay in the husle and busle of the USA. We support places like Hope Town and the light house. They are truly a treasure!
Keep em’ all!
Keep the lighthouses, get rid of the politicians!
Save the lighthouses!! Don’t let history be lost!
The lighthouses are part of our history. It can also be considered part of our coulture. It is part of us; who we are as a people; and indeed part of that which makes us different It is part of the ‘old charm’ that keeps people coming back. It is history. And once lost, or allowed to fade into oblivion, we may never get it back.
Further, what backup do we have if GPS and the like fail. We cannot throw the ‘baby out with the bath’, just because new technology is here. Lighthouses in The Bahamas are our ‘fail safe’ mechanism.
I say Save the Lighthouses. I am ready to contribute to a Save the Lighouse fund. The Minister of Culture needs to jump on something like this. And the Ministry should ensure that this kind of Bahamian history is taught in schools. Do not allow that which is an integral part of our history to die. It will be a travesty!
Great work!
I’ve embedded it at http://www.weblogbahamas.com for later.
Thanks for all your effort.
I feel as a Bahamian who use to be a fisherman i would be a good idea to protect and keep the lighthouses working for the marina. Traveling on the sea at night can be a trying experiance, sure we have GPS today but even with GPS we who travel at see alway rely on our eyes and our lines of sight. There are times you will need the Light House to get your bearing especially at night or in stormy weather.
Yes we need the lighthouses because sometime your system can fail on your ship an if your near to land a lighthouse can to the way to know how far you are from land…..
reminder its a land mark
Lighthouses should be preserved as they are an integral part of our history as an island nation.The one at Hope Towm has such historical and nautical importance that it should be ,if it hasn’t,vied for a UNESCO world heritage site.The Bahamas is rich with history yet we take so much for granted and wonder why the younger genration seem so lost.One of the reason is that they have no identity because they don’t know their real history.Bahamians seem to think that our history began in 1967 forever putting a political yoke around our necks.Save The Lighthouses by doing this we save a piece of ourselves.
Made my comments, and posted to Facebook!!
Our beautiful lighthouses represent an important part of our history. They are so worthy of repair and maintenance and it kills me to see them go the way of so many of our historical buildings. My favourite lighthouse is Bird Rock in Crooked Island – it must have been magnificent in it’s day, with it’s cellars, roomy interiors with fire-places and incredible brick-work. Bird Rock still has all the romance and mystery about a remote out-post as it rests atop a tiny cay which is host to many nesting sea birds. I would hate to see us lose these amazing structures. Wake up Bahamas Government and put some effort and cash into our lighthouses and restore them for future generations and for tourist sites! Thank you Conch Salad for reminding us that they are still there, guiding us spiritually through shallow seas at night….
I am certainly in favour of preserving the lighthouses of The Bahamas. They are a part of our history. It’s unfortunate most are so remote for many to see but that’s the very nature of a lighthouse…located in a remote place.
My mother was born and raised in Hope Town and she loved ‘her’ lighthouse.
I would be prepared to donate to a ‘restoration and maintenance fund’ and I know it would be an expensive undertaking, but perhaps if the private sector and government cooperated in the effort, it would be possible.
Although I have been away from the Bahamas for many years – my roots remain there and I find it so sad and soul destroying that the Bahamian Government do not do more to preserve the heritage of our beautiful islands. The Lighthouses must be one of the remaining historic sites in the Bahamas tht reflect the life of Bahamians. Please reserve the lighthouses of the BAhamas so that future generations can benefit from their historic value.
Thank you Conch Salad for creating this short video bringing awareness to all Bahamians and residents throughout the Bahamas
of the plight of our beloved Lighthouses.
We must do everything in our power to preserve these historical landmarks at all costs as they play a very significant role in our culture and identity as a nation of seafaring people.
I am in full agreement of preserving our Lighthouses.Will gladly assist with any efforts in any way I can for this most worthy cause.
The Bahamian Goverment needs to be actively involved in this project.
Keep up the good work Conch Salad. Let’s make it happen!
A fascinating film which clearly explains the great significance these wonderful lighthouses hold in the maritime history of the Bahamas. They are iconic. Having visited both Hole in the Wall and Hope Town lights several times over the last 20+ years,I still love the thrill when they hove into sight and can’t wait to show friends these magnificent structures when they come to visit.
The campaign to save the lighthouses must gather momentum and I agree with others who call for the Bahamian Government to support this. I would be most willing to support this campaign. Coming from the north east of England, I recall that a relative of mine was keeper of the Low Light, one of three lights which guided vessels into the mouth of the River Tyne. So, let’s also not forget the individuals who still man the lights and the stirling job they do.
Absolutely fantastic….My father was the lighthouse keeper at Hog Island from 1947 to 1965. Our family was large, 9 children during the period we lived at the keepers residence. We all feel very fortunate for the experience and how it shape our lives directly.
In it’s own way Hog Island Lighthouse is a witness to the changes that we, as Bahamians, have experienced from a front row seat. Today, this lighthouse is shining a light on the state of our society and country.
Needless to say “I would be privileged to make a contribution to this effort.”
Thank you
Not a choice,The light houses MUST be saved. Thanks for your effort in this. Tax dollars must be used. They are visual history for education.