thebahamasweekly.com - Ruins of Historic Pineapple Cannery Found

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Ruins of Historic Pineapple Cannery Found
By Leeward Yacht Club
Dec 16, 2008 - 2:43:18 PM

Archaeologists have uncovered the foundations and workings of a 19th century pineapple canning factory on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. On December 11th, archeologists from the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy announced the discovery which includes the foundations of the processing boiler and cisterns as well as hundreds of artifacts.

“This is an important discovery from what was once a leading industry of the Bahamas” reports project archaeologist, Bob Carr. “These are well preserved features that can help tell us about the details of economic life in the 19th century Abaco”, he added. Island historian and artist, Alton Lowe, reports that he has records and accounts of the importance of the pineapples to the Bahamas and Abaco. “In 1870, six thousand dozen pineapples were shipped from Abaco” stated Mr. Lowe “at which time there were as many as 1200 people living on Green Turtle Cay.”

The Leslie Illustrated News reported that the process of canning is somewhat elaborate. “No pine-apple below a certain standard is taken. The pines are pared (by women) with wondrous dexterity and marvelous rapidity- often with song and laughter. Slicers then place the pine-apples directly in the can then fill each with syrup using cistern rainwater and the best quality sugar.

“The cans are sealed with a rod heated in a charcoal furnace the soldered together. The sealed cans are then lowered into a brick cauldron of boiling water and cooked for four to five minutes and the expanded air is released by a puncture hole on top of the can which is immediately resealed by solder.”

The archaeological investigations are funded by Leeward Yacht Club where the site occurs. Doug Poland, owner of the 7 acre development is excited by the discovery. “I am very impressed by the island’s rich history and that was one reason I chose to build here. All our new homes are designed after the old Bahamian-Key West houses. I’ve planted pineapples across the property to try to respect the history of this place and will preserve some of the most interesting historic features so that residents and visitors will see some vestige of the island heritage.”

The project is being dug under an antiquity permit authorized by the National Museum of Bahamas directed by Dr. Keith L. Tinker. This assessment will make an important contribution to the industrial history of the Bahamas and is being completed as part of any development that may affect this historic site.

The site includes two large double celled cisterns each measuring about 13 by 25 feet and 6 feet deep. Project archaeologists include Joe Mankowski and Ryan Franklin from the Florida bases Archaeological and Historical Conservancy. Shards of dishes, broken bottles and tobacco pipes have been found. “All of these artifacts will help us understand daily life in the Bahamas,” says Carr. Many of these artifacts will be at the Albert Lowe Museum, located in the town of New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay. A special showing of the artifacts and foundations will be conducted on Tuesday, December 16th at 11 a.m. at Leeward Yacht Club. Tours across the site will be held at 11, 1 and 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome.