Our first stop is Man-O-War Cay...which is the traditional boat-building center of the Abacos, in fact of the entire Bahamas. The loyalists settled in the islands of The Bahamas in the 1780's. Those that settled farther south, in Exuma, tended to be farmers, but those that settled in Abaco tended to be merchants and boat builders and these traditions have endured to this day. There are no descendants of Loyalists in the Exumas today, but they can still be found in Abacos. Almost all the residents of Man-O-War Cay can trace their roots back to Nellie Archer and Ben Albury. Nellie Archer used to visit Man-O-War Cay to farm a plot of land that her family owned there. On hot days she and her family would visit the beach for a break from the heat. One particular day they heard voices coming from the beach and when they investigated, Nellie found several survivors from a wreck being led to shore by 16 year old Ben Albury. True love being what it is......the rest is history.....Now YOU have your history lesson for the day...
Stretching two and a half miles and with 350 residents Man-O-War Cay is definitely not a big one, but on every one's "must visit list"......Our Marina is the hub for the boaters docked and on mooring balls in Man-O-War Harbor. There are boats coming and going all day long. The day we arrived they only had one slip open and diesel available. Today they have several slips open and no gas available. You don't want to arrive in town without a reservation or an up-date on fuel.
Man-O-War Marina
Dock and Dine and the only restaurant in town
No pool action today
The people are friendly and we are finding that boaters come back to this area year after year. We met a gentleman from Kentucky that spends 8 months on his boat and goes back to the states from August to November for hurricane season. Another couple working at the museum said they put their sailboat on the hard at Green Turtle Cay when they return to Canada for the summer. They told us there is a waiting list at the Shipyard.
Lignum Viyae.....the national tree
Post Office
Smoke Free....04-07-2009....Congratulations Jamie
The Education Building
The Man-O-War Heritage Museum opened in 2011. The building is over 100 years old and is filled with historical artifacts and a brief look into the lives of residents from a bygone era. Hazel Albury, former postmaster, author of Man-O-War, My Island Home" (A History of an Outer Abaco Island) was recommended to add to my reading list.
Man-O-War Heritage Museum
The back porch
Open air living
Ship Model
You wonder who sailed this one
Methodist Church 1912
No alcoholic beverages are sold anywhere on Man-O-War Cay, in fact...the same is true with tobacco. You may take a bottle of wine to dinner at Dock and Dine and they will provide you with a wine glass. I'm sure they would serve you your beer in a wine glass.....
Do you need directions?
Peaceful stop
We were having trouble with both macerators when we came into Man-O-War Cay. They wouldn't work. The Captain went to Edwin's Boat Yards Day One to see what might be done....if not it would be "public" until we returned to the states. Yes....they installed a new pump on the aft head. Very prompt....Chad knew what he was doing.....and Tommy, our dock master made sure our problem was taken care of.....The forward head is closed until we return to the states. Another thing we are finding.....no credit cards in most shops....they like cash but will take a check with an added charge.
Edwin Boat Yard #1 does excellent work and maintains a good stock of marine parts
Edwin Boat Yard #2 builds sturdy round bilge deep-V fiberglass outboard boats
Hand crafted sailboat
Ms Lola sells her rolls and bread out of her cart six days a week
Cinnamon Rolls for the Captain
Unique shop....must stop and look
Man-O-War Grocery...fresh veggies...hard to find
Albury's Sail Shop 3 sewing machines going....they make canvas bags, hats and purses of all sizes. They no longer build or repair sails. They need a "Baby-Lock" and I bet Mary and I could get a job
Grouper Fingers to die for Skipper and Connie....$12 plus tea
We are staying a week and will be leaving Tuesday for Hope Town. We found out the Ferry goes to Marsh Harbor before going to Hope Town and that would be too long of a day for Saddi.
I need some attention Capt
Rik has finished Castle by Bill Cunningham and I have finished Charlotte's Story by Charlotte Arpin Niedhauk a must book on the Florida Keys list......Saddi has been enjoying the bridge and checking out the dinghy dock for her four-legged friends.
Thanks for visiting our Island. Hope you had a nice stay ! FYI, The Museum has a web site. www.mowmuseum.com It has lots of historical information and photos.
ReplyDelete