|
|
Located in Back Bay (Western Bay) are a
number of small islands, the largest being
Slave Island
which is some 2 miles to the northeast of
Flint Island. |
North-east view.
c. 1958/9
. Quarantine Island,
Northern view
Flint Island, also known as Flint Rock, Quarantine
Island or Sheikh Ahmad Island, is
located in Ordnance Bay some 300 metres offshore from
the Secretariat and
The Crescent Hotel. One
of its names is most likely linked to that of Sheikh Ahmad Tomb,
also known as Sheikh Said Tomb, which is 600 metres south-west, near the
war memorial
building.
There were at one time eight buildings on the
island and one would suppose these were in fact used for
quarantine purposes in cases of
epidemic, both
cholera and smallpox being a recurrent problem. Today
most of
the buildings have gone and there is now just one
large horseshoe-shaped building on the western end of
the island.
Old postcards have been seen which incorrectly give the
name as 'Hint Island'. |
