George Town, Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories
Caymanian Catboat
1904-
Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025
1. Caymanian Catboat Marker
Inscription.
Caymanian Catboat. For the first half of the twentieth century, the catboat was integral to the economy of the Cayman Islands and the daily life of Caymanians. Designed primarily for catching turtle far-out at sea and carrying them to schooners for shipment to market, it was also used for fishing close to shore, for transporting people and goods around the islands, and even as an ambulance. Most children learned their sailing skills in small catboats, and catboat races were a favorite recreational activity when people had time to spare. With the decline of turtling and the arrival in the Islands of automobiles and outboard motors, the catboat gradually fell into disuse. In the 1990's the establishment of the Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Cayman Catboat Club led to a revival of interest in this unique craft, and today the Caymanian catboat is celebrated as a living icon of Caymanian culture.
For the first half of the twentieth century, the catboat was integral to the economy of the Cayman Islands and the daily life of Caymanians. Designed primarily for catching turtle far-out at sea and carrying them to schooners for shipment to market, it was also used for fishing close to shore, for transporting people and goods around the islands, and even as an ambulance. Most children learned their sailing skills in small catboats, and catboat races were a favorite recreational activity when people had time to spare. With the decline of turtling and the arrival in the Islands of automobiles and outboard motors, the catboat gradually fell into disuse. In the 1990's the establishment of the Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Cayman Catboat Club led to a revival of interest in this unique craft, and today the Caymanian catboat is celebrated as a living icon of Caymanian culture.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 19° 17.775′ N, 81° 22.896′ W. Marker is in George Town, Cayman Islands. It is at the intersection of Fort Street and Edward Street, on the right when traveling east on Fort Street. The marker is located in Heroes Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Edward St 68, George Town, Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, in North America, and in the Anglosphere.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
