Wrightaway |

Lee Stocking Island may be our favorite stop that we made in the Bahamas. There is enough to do that we could stay for weeks, which we did! But, we had to pile Smitty up with 30 gallons of extra water in a bladder and as much extra gas as we could, because there are no stores or other means of getting water or fuel on this island.

The island marker and the cut (entry/exit) for Lee Stocking

The Abandoned Institute

In order to pursue his interest in marine research and renewable energy, the 600-acre Lee Stocking Island was purchased for $70,000 by John Perry in 1957. He developed the island as a scientific field station and tried to make it self-supporting by incorporating working models of new technologies.

Wind Turbine – the cables were used to pull the blades to the top of the post (which looks like a mast of a boat on land)

The Perry Institute for Marine Science included laboratories, housing, an airstrip, a dock, boats, and dive support facilities. Up until SCUBA technology became more advanced, the field station featured shallow-depth submersibles.

From the institute’s website:

“The Perry Institute for Marine Science is dedicated to making a difference by protecting our oceans. We do this through ocean research and education that informs the public and encourages action. We operate a tropical marine laboratory on Lee Stocking Island in the Bahamas. Scientists, students and educational groups visit our facility from around the world to conduct ocean research in this remote, pristine stretch of the Caribbean. In the areas on and around our island, we study things like coral reefs, fisheries, ecosystems and the biodiversity of undersea life.”

After the death of Perry in 2006, research funding dried up and the institute was closed. However, the Institute was not cleaned up; tons of garbage (including hazardous materials), buildings and equipment remain on the island.

A couple of the many abandoned buildings and a pick-up truck

Live-wells used for research

Airstrip

Hazardous chemicals and the remnants of a decompression chamber

The tanker trucks were used to hold fuel for the generators that supported the island

Hunting

Where the conch live

Conch: Before Conch: After

Beautiful Beaches and clear water in every shade of blue

Hiking

Summer leads the way on the trail hike

Snorkeling

Anchorage with spectacular sunset

Farewell & Following Seas

One of the saddest days of of our trip so far was parting ways with Deborah & Keith and their pup, Kai on sv Wrightaway. Thank you so much for the pleasure of your company, sharing the hunting and snorkeling spots with us, showing Jesse how to clean conch, and especially for sharing all of the super yummy fish & conch meals. 🙂

As I suspect that this island (or at least a portion) will be sold and developed into some sort of luxury resort over the next couple of years, I am glad that we had the opportunity to explore this island now, especially in its current state (which, we found to be quite interesting and fun).

Cat Island is located on the outer reaches of the Eastern Bahamas (also known as the Far Bahamas); a well-worth sail from the Exumas. We anchored in Old Bight, off of a 3-mile long, perfect sand beach, that we shared with two other buddy-boats: sv Wrightway and sv The Lucky One. This area has one small bar to the north and a large creek that is the home of lots of turtles to the south.

We traveled to North Bight in order to check out the local shops and the Hermitage. Father Jerome (John Cecil Hawes), an architect and Catholic Priest, known throughout the Bahamas for his work, built the Hermitage (along with many other churches on various Bahamian islands). The Hermitage, located on Mt. Alvernia, the highest hill in the Bahamas, is amazing. When you first see it from the water, you would think that you are about to embark on an epic journey to get to the top of the mountain where it is located. In reality, nothing is very tall in the Bahamas. Having hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail; the tallest point in the Bahamas would be comparative to hiking to the base of any of New England’s mountains. The trail begins as you walk through the archway at the Hermitage’s entrance at the base of the hill. As you ascend the hill you will see the Stations of the Cross and the replica of Jesus’ tomb. Once at the top of the hill, you arrive at the beautiful, yet humble Hermitage. The tallest part of the building, the bell tower, is only about 15 feet tall. This is where Father Jerome prayed and lived in his retirement years. On the back side of the hermitage, you can see the cave that Father Jerome lived in for several years while he was building the Hermitage.