The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Ragged Island Development Association in Grand Bahama is committed to the development and restoration of historical sites on Ragged Island, the smallest inhabited island in the Bahamas.

Ragged Island, which is about nine square miles in the southern Bahamas, was known for a bustling salt industry in the 1930s. Today, only 87 residents live on the island, but earlier this month some 200 descendants returned for Homecoming festivities.

Elkenny Lockhart, president of the Ragged Island Development Association (RIDA) Grand Bahama, led a group from Freeport. The trip was described as a success, serving to reunite descendants and to identify areas for restoration on the island.

While there, they also paid tribute to the fallen Bahamian marines in the Cuban attack on the Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel, HMBS Flamingo, in the waters off Ragged Island on May 10, 1980. The association plans to construct a monument in honour of the four marines who lost their lives that fateful day.

“We gathered at the southern end of the island, near the airport, and we placed a metal in the ground with a flag where we will build a monument sometime next year as a memorial to the marines who died,” Mr Lockhart said.

Two of the men – Leo Kirby and John Wallace – who were also injured in the attack were natives of Ragged Island. In remembrance of that day, Mr Kirby gave a narration of the entire ordeal.

“It was very moving to hear from someone there. It was a painful time in the country’s history,” Mr Lockhart recalled.

The first event was meet-and-greet at Baptist Church. The week of activities also included a flagraising ceremony, a fishing tournament, serenading through the streets and a beach party.

The association also plans to restore Lookout Tower and the windmill at Horse Well, one of four freshwater wells and the only provider of potable water on the island. Mr Lockhart said the water at Big Well, Laggy Well and Thompson Well was brackish and was used only for bathing and cleaning.

The salt ponds were a backbone of the island’s economy. It is about over a mile long and divided into plots, which belong to various families on the island. There is also a government plot, which is controlled by local government and is open to the public.

Mr Lockhart said that infrastructure has improved. “We have good roads, water system, and electricity, which has allowed persons to rebuild their family homes,” he said.

A bonefishing lodge has been built and plans are underway for other small family businesses, such as bed and breakfast and other small lodges.

Mr Lockhart said that it is important that descendants of Ragged Island know where they come from and to help assist with the development of the island.

The island’s people are seafarers, and many of the country’s sailors, seaman and mailboat operators originate from Ragged Island. The families are the Curlings, Hepburns, Joffres, Lockharts, Maycocks, Moxeys, Munroes, Pintards, Wallaces and Wilsons.

The Ragged Island chain measures over 110 miles in length and includes cays known as Raccoon Cay, Hog Cay and Double-Breasted Cay.

All descendants of Ragged Island and their children are welcome to join the association. Interested persons should call 602-1271.