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Christmas Island Archives Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) - Ruins, relics, stories and other interesting things

Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) - Ruins, relics, stories and other interesting things

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A lucky horseshoe

How interesting to find a horseshoe on Christmas Island. I know people have found these before but many thanks go to “Anon” who sent me their horseshoe photos below. The horseshoe was one of a few that were found in close proximity to each other.

Select a pic below to enlarge the image and see more detail of “Anon’s” Christmas Island horseshoe.

Original found state
Original found state
Portion of 1903 map showing two stable blocks in Flying Fish Cove
Portion of c1903 map showing two stable blocks in Flying Fish Cove. No. 11 stables had plank flooring and walling with a zinc roof. No. 14 stables had a cement floor, plank walling and a zinc roof.

The passing decades, amounting to more than a century, have turned a once discarded object into a little treasure; its value being a link harking back to the earliest days of European habitation on Christmas Island.

This horseshoe is a tangible reminder of when our equine friends once lived and worked on the Island. It was found in the vicinity of an area in Flying Fish Cove that once housed stables. I’ve been told that this particular horseshoe appears to have come from the hind leg and has six square nails (tacks).

As there were horses and ponies on the island they needed to be stabled somewhere. Some early, detailed maps depict those stable locations.

Left: A stable is located close to “the tip” which is now in the vicinity of the current downhill conveyor.
Right: A stable block in Flying Fish Cove in the vicinity of the current Marine Building opposite the jetty.
Parts of a 1916 map from the UK Hydrographic Office.
View of horse stables c1904-1909 most likely in Flying Fish Cove.
National Archives of Australia. NAA: R32, CIPC 2/15F

The life of a horse on Christmas Island may have been difficult. In the image below it appears the horse is unhappy, perhaps struggling with a heavy load that he is pulling along the track.

Photo c1911. The overall view on the left shows the Drum and starting point from quarries at 500′ (foot) level. The full trucks are ready to be offloaded upon arrival at “the tip”.
National Archives of Australia. NAA: R32, CIPC 3/55A

“Doddy” may have preferred to have a smaller rider.

George McMicken, Island Manager 1919-1934, on “Doddy”.
National Archives of Australia. NAA: N29, 1 page 86 of 168. Murray Collection 1905-1925

Just another day at the office. 

National Archives of Australia. NAA: N29, 1 page 88 of 168. Murray Collection 1905-1925

How wonderful that this shared horseshoe find has prompted and lead to the unearthing of faded and forgotten history in the form of stable locations and photos of Island horses. The photos give an indication of the life of a horse on Christmas Island all those years ago and the memory of “Doddy’s” existence is brought back.

Mr Jackson (Manager) and J.D. Murray with a horse and trap purchased from the Chief Engineer of the SS Islander
Photo taken 9th November 1909
National Archives of Australia NAA: K733, VOLUME 1 Page 34 of 47

Do you have a Christmas Island relic or old find like “Anon” does? It may be in the form of bottles, coins, bullets, opium pipe (the holy grail) or other historic object. It can be featured on this website. People often like to keep their finds quiet but anonymity is absolutely guaranteed if you wish. Just ask “Anon”!

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Christmas Island Archives was selected for preservation by the State Library of Western Australia. It is now listed in perpetuity on PANDORA, Australia’s website archive established by the National Library of Australia.

Grant acknowledgement

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An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during the An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during their occupation of Christmas Island in WW2. The circular opening in the wall is where I believe a ventilation pipe was inserted. Its purpose was to keep a stable temperature and extract noxious fumes. Its use as an ammunition cave may have predated WW2. To find out more about this cave read Helena van der Riet's excellent thesis "The Archaeology of the Japanese World War II Occupation of Christmas Island". It can be found on my website (see link in my bio) under the "Documents" section. 
#christmasisland #cave #ammunition #ww2 #ww2history #worldwar2 #worldwar2history #japaneseoccupation #ww2japanese #christmasislandarchives
I love Victor Purcell's observations of human beha I love Victor Purcell's observations of human behaviour on Christmas Island in 1926. The European community caused him the most angst.
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #history #islandlife #colonial #straitssettlements #christmasislandarchives
An old water tank near South Point located along t An old water tank near South Point located along the old railway track. I understand that a couple of years ago it was totally overgrown by the jungle and was invisible until it was cleared.
#christmasisland #ruin #relic #industrialrelic #watertank #colonial #christmasislandarchives
Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European C Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European Cemetery my sis-in-law @mily_barrett spotted this now 72 year old engraving in the concrete path. A nice little reminder from a long gone workman that he was once doing a job there.
"1.7.1951
Pipe Repar" ... 
The last seen letter is partially obscured. The word repair has likely been misspelt?
#christmasisland #history #christmasislandhistory #relic #cemetery #path #oldpath #christmasislandarchives
A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in the Old European Cemetery on Christmas Island. His story and the mystery loss of his headstone lead to a surprising misidentification of his gravesite. Read about it now on my website. See bio for link. Look under “latest updates” for “Norman Howard - turning in his grave”.
"In memory of Norman Howard
European Overseer
Aged 32
Died 6.3.24"
#christmasisland #straitssettlements #christmasislandhistory #cemetery #headstone #gravesite #grave #colonialhistory #christmasislandarchives
Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found parti Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found partially buried. The verdigris colour of one of them caught my eye. How I came to be in that specific spot to find them is another whole story LOL. I donated them to the Island's Tai Jin House museum.
Left top to bottom:
Tails side “Straits Settlements 1936”.
Head side “George V King and Emperor of India” 
Right top to bottom:
Tails side “Commissioners of Currency Malaya 1939”
Head side “George VI King Emperor”
There was another 1 cent coin found along with these as well and was dated 1943. 
I am not sure if such a small denomination would have been used for gambling? However, it has been told that on the Island when Straits Settlement coins were no longer a viable currency they would be saved and then scattered/given as offerings to the good brothers during the Hungry Ghost month. I found these coins during that very month in an area that metal detectorists had been over previously. Perhaps the coins were revealed to me 🙂
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #christmasislandrelic #relic #relichunting #indianoceanislands #ghostmonth #straitssettlementscoins #straitssettlements #oldcoins #christmasislandarchives
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