Local history Thread

[Yeo]

buh i thought Yeo and Dragist used to pitch marble with some ah dem fellas

[xtech]

Chinese in Trinidad and Tobago
The First Arrivals: 4 March, 1853
Those landed numbered 432. Eight were sent to hospitals, and the remainder distributed on estates in the Counties of St George’s, Caroni, Victoria and St Patrick, in detachments varying in number from 16 to 33; of the eight sent to hospital five ultimately survived and were assigned in the same manner as the others.

The First Month of Estate Work

During the first month matters went on smoothly on most estates; the proprietors anxious to promote this new immigration, allowed the Chinese to take their own way, seldom exacting anything like a full day’s labour from the new immigrants, while at the same time, the latter were allowed pay and rations like seasoned labourers in full employment. On some estates, however, they showed their temper before three weeks had passed, refusing to work, and insisting on full rations in terms of their agreements, which stipulated that no man should be mulcted in either allowance or pay, unless he were more than 14 days sick continuously. As the Chinese are not proverbially deficient in cunning, they in many instances laid up during 14 days, and turned out on the 15th, turning in again on the 16th for the remainder of the month, and then claiming all the privileges of those who had done a full month’s work. Finding that no immediate punishment followed this unfair conduct, and that in consequence of cases being in all directions postponed, from the non-ubiquity of the single interpreter whom chance had vouchsafed the colony, they stuck work almost entirely on several estates, and only showed symptoms of industry as they gradually found that, though slow, the punishment for insubordination was more or less sure. On every estate it was explained to them that they might go at once on the current rate of wages, which admitted of the most industrious doubling their rate, as per agreement, or adhere to the latter, provided always the day’s labour consisted of nine working hours; it was further explained, that after the first three months they should be placed on money wages, entirely I conformity with the ordinance…

Work Ethic

The majority objected to any arrangement except their own pleasure, and hence constant complaints from the employers, and occasionally a good deal of turbulence on the part of the employed. As exceptions to the general rule it must be stated that on seven of the 18 estates where the Chinese per Australia were assigned, their behaviour was good, giving every satisfaction to the employer by their industry and docility, in fact they are there considered in every point of view as the best immigrants hitherto imported.

On nine more estates, at this moment, they are behaving well and working better, encouraging the hope that, as they gradually acquire knowledge of the language and manners of the country, their value as a labouring population will increase. On the remaining two estates they are working very indifferently, and much reduced by sickness. The Chinese, per Australia, have now been here almost nine months; on the number originally signed, namely 429, the casualties amount to 51, of these 31 have died on three estates where fever prevailed this last year in a malignant form.

The Second Arrivals: April 23rd, 1853

The second ship, namely the Clarendon,… landed 251 immigrants, of whom two were sent to hospital and turned out incurable. The remainder, apparently in the finest health, were assigned to 12 estates; some little difficulty occurred in the apportionment, as the turbulence of their countrymen, per Australia, had made the planters doubtful as to either the safety or propriety of employing them. The Clarendon men were from the vicinity of Canton, and though less bulky than those per Australia, who are from the Fokien district, appear smarter and more civilized. They turned out much more difficult to control, and refused to work more than four or five hours at the most on upwards of eight estates out of the 12. They now understand their position somewhat better, and with the exception of one estate are improving. The deaths amount to 17 on 249 assigned.

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

^^What about the 2005 "Third Arrival immigrants"??

[xtech]

not history as yet.........

[idlemind]

no no u guys have it wrong... the Third Arrival wasnt and will not be documented

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

^point...


went into 5 bunkers in chaguaramas years ago....we actually opened one that was locked and from the general condition of all of them, it appeared that after the last users, few if any people were present or even know of his existence. Unopened bottles of wine, 1944 news papers, etc, etc.
none of the items were removed for obvious reasons by us but what was removed was a couple gallons of gasoline from the bush covered, away from site gas line that we found along the way...
very, very, interesting, but somewhat frightening mission.

[xtech]

^^^
I have been into a few bunkers but i had no lights with me to see inside clearly.

FROM THE GENERAL REGISTER ALL INDIAN IMMIGRANT SHIPS TO LAND HERE
http://www.natt.gov.tt/uploadedFiles/Ea ... ation1.pdf

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

^^^
I have been into a few bunkers but i had no lights with me to see inside clearly.

FROM THE GENERAL REGISTER ALL INDIAN IMMIGRANT SHIPS TO LAND HERE
http://www.natt.gov.tt/uploadedFiles/Ea ... ation1.pdf

Wayyyyyy....that explains alot...

They just keep comin and comin and comin....

[xtech]

Tobago ferry
1965

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

Inter Island Fairy
Present

[Conrad]

The statue of the Amerindian on the way to Santa Cruz behind San Juan (Santa Cruz Old Road, I think)...
The story I have been told is:
The Spanish settlers there were warned by a friendly amerindian about an impending attack. They then fled to the safety of the nearest garrison. After their return to the area, they erected a statue of the neighbourly indian.

Quite a nice tale, but is it true? If so, what were the chances of survival of the amerindian when his fellows linked the remarkable escape of the settlers to the coincidental resemblance of the statue to the said indian who visited the settlers? (Somebody mus' a collec' boutoo like it was goin out ah style...)

Seriously, has anyone ever looked closely at the supporting pillar? Neither the design nor the mortar work doesn't resemble (even closely) the style or structure of Spanish colonial towers. The "faux steeple" effect... (I is not ah arkeeteck, eh... buh whoever here is, take a look nah...) I would hazard a guess based on what scraps of info I have hoarded in a small corner of an empty head and say... that structure had to have been built after the 1920's.

What say yous?

Forgot I had a pic, a 2NR just pointed it out.

[Redman]

Inter Island Fairy
Present

Aye its a historical thread









You have to say "Inter Island Fairy of HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS"




Later

[d spike]

Here is a choice piece of local history. Bartholomew de las Casas recounts this incident concerning Trinidad in 1513 in his writings:

Two Dominican priests were landed in Trinidad to bring Christianity to the natives. They were well received by the Indians, and lived among them, learning to communicate.

However, life was disturbed when a Spanish ship anchored and the crew came ashore. They were welcomed by the natives, who were pleased to introduce the crew to the priests. The crew had the priests explain to the Indians that a display of gifts was prepared on the deck of the ship. The head of the tribe, his wife, and many others went to the ship to see the display. When the Spaniards decided they had enough people on board, they set sail for Santo Domingo to sell their newly acquired slaves.

The Amerindians on shore, realizing what had happened, accused the two priests of being part of the plot. The religious pleaded innocence and begged for their lives. They were spared under one condition, they get in touch with Santo Domingo and get the prisoners returned.

When a ship appeared on the horizon, the Indians allowed the priests to contact the captain. The priests begged the captain to see about the release of the captives. That failed, as the prisoners were already sold, and the Councillors of the Royal Audiencia themselves had bought some.

After eight months had passed – the priests had asked for a four month stay of execution – the Indians got fed up waiting, and proceeded to cut the throats of both priests. It is quite likely that all this took place in the village of Conquerabia, the present site of downtown Port-of-Spain.

[xtech]

sounds just like modern day POS.............. kidnapping and murder nothing new

[geodude]

great info tuners, keep it coming

[buzz]

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KSJyAKQukdA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>

[Jeromecmham]

You may be interested in this site http://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com/ which attempts to list all Caribbean Aircrew in WW2 and this site I set up which attempts to list all the West Indians killed/died in both World Wars - http://caribbeanrollofhonour-ww1-ww2.yolasite.com/

[SMc]

just revisited this thread and read all 12 pages..excellent work!! I want more.

[Sequel]

did bwia really have a 747?

[Rory Phoulorie]

did bwia really have a 747?

Largest plane I know they had was an Airbus A340.

[Sequel]

did bwia really have a 747?

Largest plane I know they had was an Airbus A340.

cool.

bwia aircraft pan style still looked nicer...was more trini.

[SNIPER 3000]

Best thing i ever read on this site....cool

[Greypatch]

[SNIPER 3000]

[wheelbarrow]

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Re7CTl3_I-M&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>

[SMc]

Ohh..,..went to the Runnymead Memorial after reading this thread,felt compeled to do so

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

Bump for a good thread!

[carmelo]

who up for a trek thru the forest to uncover some WWII bunkers?
quote]

restricted access............u don't want the Army guys to catch u
Cannot even get permits under the guise of any historical society

this is true but what i can tell is since after world war 2 there is still very much an american presence just after tetron barracks .... apparently there is a road which leads all the way to scotland bay there was another road which also ran lower down to some houses located close to the beach on the way to tetron. those sealed bunkers have very sensitive equipment and information and are closely monitored not only by our local army but under surveilance of the us navy and marines it for if in event a base must be setup there are equipment there to facilate such. on another note my great uncle who was a ww2 raf bomber and fighter pilot and work closely with the british intelligence community also told me alot of stories of things happening here and in europe during the war yrs.

[xtech]

in event a base must be setup there are equipment there to facilate such.

sounds like T3 Rise Of The Machines kinda thing

[xtech]

Trinidad and Tobago banknotes

A brief monetary history:
British currency, till 1905
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar = 100 Cents, 1905-1951
British East Caribbean Territories currency, 1951-1964
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar = (British Caribbean Dollar) = 100 Cents, from 1964


1905 TT dollar


1939-1943


1964

1977