Caledonia_Island

Caledonia Island

Caledonia Island

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Caledonia Island is an island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is one of "The Five Islands" group of six small islands lying west of Port of Spain in the Gulf of Paria. [1]It has an approximate area of just 1.9 hectares.[2] It is the largest out of the six islands.

Caledonia Island as seen approaching it from the north
A man-made causeway connects Caledonia Island (right) with Craig Island (left).
Caledonia Island on the map

It was originally called Marlin Spike Hall, Caledonia and Craig Island were joined by a man-made causeway which was built in order to replace an eroded stirp of land. As of this, it was believed that the two islands were originally just one island. This explains the name "Five Islands".[3][4]

History

Being the largest of the islands, Caledonia was the most exclusive and mainly senior civil servants were able to rent it. The house on Caledonia was primarily used as a residence for the medical officer of the Five Islands for a few years; until it was abandoned and left ruined .It was rebuilt though in 1890.[3]

World War 2

Shortly after Britain had entered World War II in 1939, all Germans and Austrians were considered as enemy aliens, and these Jews had fled from Hitler, but were Germans and Austrians were rounded up and interned. At first they were placed in camps on Nelson and Caledonia Islands and then later in camps at what would become Federation and Ellerslie Park.[2]

After World War II, Sir Alan Reece had obtained the house; however his lack of ownership of the island along with the unwillingness of the government to source money for the renovations of the house led to the house disrepair and tarnished structure.[3]

Ceremonial uses

Caledonia Island was an island used for performing marriage ceremonies, In 1840, George Harris, 3rd Baron Harris, had spent his honeymoon on the island with his Trinidadian bride. [2] He had married local beauty, 19- year-old Sarah Cummins (daughter of Archdeacon Cummins) on April 16 1850, in Trinity Cathedral.[4]

On November 13th 1957, Eric Williams (the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago) had married Dr Mayleen Mook Sang, the first fully qualified woman dentist in the British West Indies, on the island.[2] There was a brief courtship, he had proposed and then she accepted. However, Dr Williams was worried about his reputation considering his profound involvement in politics. He had feared marriage would damage his political. The solution to this issue was to have a secret marriage.[4]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Caledonia Island in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (Google Maps)". Virtual Globetrotting. 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  2. [2]
    "Other Places of Interest in Trinidad in the Caribbean". www.trinoutdoors.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  3. [3]
    "Caledonia & Craig". National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  4. [4]
    Newsday (2005-06-12). "The Five (or Six) Islands". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Archives. Retrieved 2024-04-13.

10°39′45.12″N 61°35′49.61″W


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