22 May 2012

Nelson's Dockyard


Nelson's Dockyard National Park is a cultural heritage site in English Harbour, Antigua. I was there a couple of days ago and enjoyed the combination of old buildings (built in the 1870's) and nature, including a lovely, twice- sheltered harbour. Such a pretty spot and largely deserted this time of year.  It recently hosted the Antigua Sailing Week, a bustling international event attracting boats from all over the world, but those folks are long gone. Some of the races coursed by Crossroads and awed our clients. There's something ancient and classic in crisp, white sails rounded with wind against the blue of sea and sky.

This is where the naval boats of another day came for repairs.








I could hear the echoes of workers' voices as they repaired and refinished the ships. I wonder if they have work songs to accompany them?

12 comments:

  1. I like your photos and those times of seafaring and naval heroes.

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  2. Beautiful spot. There's something " colonial" (in the British empire sense) about it.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it was a British colony before independence.

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  3. This place is beautiful. Wow!

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  4. wow...sounds awesome and great pics as well...and would love to know as well if they have work songs...would be very cool to hear them sung..

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    1. So many occupations had work songs to accompany their labors.

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  5. Replies
    1. I spent a long time there wondering around by myself. They have a museum there which tells some stories of the past.

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  6. Beautiful. This makes me smile, because I have a brother Nelson, and he is associated with the coast and boats in my mind. He had a sailboat for a while.

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    Replies
    1. This was named after Admiral Horatio Nelson. A number of times a year, the three harbors over there have boats galore. Some of the world class mega-boats are grandly beautiful.

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