Author Michael Chaplan discovered this crumbling ruin in Jackass Pasture. The next plantation I detected was the Hamilton estate, which was a two mile uphill trek out of Charlestown on Government Road in the direction of Mt. Nevis. Passing the hospital on the edge of town, I was joined by a curious island dog. Further on, I noticed a mossy stone stairway, which led to a large cistern that held algae-covered water. Looking more closely at some ripples, I saw a fleet of large aquatic insects pushing their way through the green slime like little steamboats. I patted my canteen in appreciation that I didn’t have to drink from that crawling soup. Going back to the road, I continued onward and saw a small sign tacked to a tree that said, “Hamilton Estate.” I had arrived, but where was everything? Simply put, this
44 American Digger Magazine
86
Vol. 8, Issue 2
2012 American Digger Magazine Sampler ®
plantation’s location was at a much higher elevation than Coconut Walk and the vegetation had changed to dense rainforest, which hid all man-made structures quite well. I followed a trail and popped out beside a sizeable old stone farmhouse with a corrugated iron roof. Entering these mysterious ruins through a hole in the wall, I found myself standing on a narrow ledge over a cobbled floor. Its former purpose became clear when I saw a line of three stone pits that once held large copper pans used to boil cane juice into sugar. A rusted steam engine was stamped “A & W Smith Co No 971 Glasgow 1893.” I was in the Hamilton estate boiling house. Walking further into the half-darkness, I found another smaller room, which held a graceful swan-necked rum still with a metal tag on it stamped “London 1832.” Rum was made from molasses. Both were important economic sugar by-products. I backed out when bats began swooping by my head. Continuing to explore, I started detecting by a sugar mill and came up with a 1896 Half Crown. As I examined the large silver coin, an elderly, barefoot man, accompanied by my tail-wagging dog friend, came over and introduced himself as the caretaker, and inquired about my metal detector. I didn’t have to be told that the dog was with his master. My explanation evoked a comment that Nevis has a
Don’t miss out! Contact us to advertise your product. Affordable prices and large circulation!