Grand Turk

Grand Turk

Central America Caribbean » Turks & Caicos » Grand Turk
March 31st 2017

Published: May 26th 2022

Carnival Sunshine slipped into Grand Turk early in the morning, the last of our ports of call for this cruise. At Grand Turk, we had booked Carnival's "Historical Homes, Town & Museum Tour" shore excursion. The tour promised to include Cockburn Town and the Grand Turk Lighthouse. The guide met us and other travelers in the cruise terminal area and soon we were on the minibus. The same shore excur... Read Full Entry

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Andrew Lisowski

AndrewHL

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." I've traveled for a long time and have many memories of places and people. I enjoy travel, especially to new places I haven't seen before. Every journey, whether brief or extended, provides the opportunity for a new experience or a different way to see things. I like travel photography, too, and always have my camera with me. I look to the "4Hs of Tourism" as a guide when traveling: understanding the Habitat; Heritage; History and Handicrafts. Member of the TravBuddy travel blogging community from 2007 until its demise in 2018. [world... full info

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Jeremiah Murphy Deep-sea Diver

Jeremiah Murphy's diving gear .Jeremiah Murphy emigrated from Ireland to the United States in the 1850s where he learned deep-sea diving. He took his diving trade to the Caribbean, eventually settling in Grand Turk. His home was the house that now houses the museum. Murphy's diving gear is on display. Turks and Caicos National Museum IMG_0810

Jeremiah Murphy's Diving Gear

Governor-General's Uniform

Turks and Caicos Governor-General's Uniform. Turks and Caicos National Museum. IMG_0815

Pier and Beach at Cockburn Town

Pier and Beach at Cockburn Town, Grand Turk. DSC_0128p1

Grand Turk Lighthouse

Grand Turk Lighthouse dates to 1852. Located at the northern tip of the island, the lighthouse was installed to protect against the many shipwrecks that had occurred on the reefs of the Turks Island Passage. The cast iron lighthouse was prefabricated--manufactured in England--and assembled on the island. It stands 60 feet (20 m) high. Lighthouse Road. DSC_0203

Wild Donkey

Wild donkey of Grand Turk. The wild donkeys of Grand Turk reminded me of the wild ponies of Assateague Island in Maryland and Virginia. The donkeys descend from donkeys that were let go when the salt industry closed. DSC_0210p1

Grand Turk Public Cemetery

Osborne Road. DSC_0229p1

St Thomas's Anglican Church

St Thomas's Anglican Church. Dedicated in 1823. Osborne Road. DSC_0232

Town Salina

Town Salina (salt pond). Overview of one of the dormant salinas that still exist on the island. The major industry on Grand Turk from its founding to the mid-20th century was salt mining. Seawater was admitted to several salt ponds, called "salinas". Windmills pumped the saltwater from one level of the salina to another, evaporation increasing the salinity at each stage. Finally, the salt was recovered manually in salt pans. Grand Turk salt was in demand and exported everywhere. Even George Washington ordered it! The lucrative industry was known as "White Gold". DSC_0244p1

Windmill

Town Salina (salt pond) and windmill at the Salt House, Grand Turk. The major industry on Grand Turk from its founding to the mid-20th century was salt mining. Seawater was admitted to several salt ponds, called "salinas". Windmills pumped the saltwater from one level of the salina to another, evaporation increasing the salinity at each stage. Finally, the salt was recovered manually in salt pans. Grand Turk salt was in demand and exported everywhere. Even George Washington ordered it! The lucrative industry was known as "White Gold". There is a White Gold museum of the salt industry, but it was closed the day we were here. However, we did have a good overview of one of the dormant salinas that still exist on the island. DSC_0247p1

Turks Head Cactus

Turks Head Cactus (Melocactus intortus), Grand Turk. The cactus gave its name to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The cactus is native to the islands. IMG_0857

Grand Turk Cruise Center

Musician at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. DSC_0270

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. DSC_0075

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. IMG_0796

Splashdown Grand Turk

"Splashdown Grand Turk" exhibit at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre. Installed in 2011, the exhibit commemorates the splashdown of John Glenn near Grand Turk on 20 February 1962. DSC_0066