50 years ago: fire destroys home; precursor to Turtle Farm nears sale

The main story on the front page of The Caymanian Compass on 11 Dec. 1975 was on the proposed sale of Mariculture Limited, which if accepted would form a new company. The Cayman Islands Government was praised for its support along with the First National City Bank. The article stated that Mariculture “operated the world’s largest green turtle industry” and went into receivership the previous May.

The photo that appeared on the front page showed the “charred remains of the Smithers home” and an article appeared below it with details of the fire “of unknown origin” in Tropical Gardens.

Another article appearing on the front page followed up on last week’s discovery of the largest haul of drugs found in the Cayman Islands. The three alleged criminals were being charged with importing and being in possession of “some four tons of ganja to the estimated value of $12 million”.

There was also a banner advert from “Little Liquor Store Gift Service” where free wrapping and delivery was offered “for every purchase over $5.00”.

The editorial addressed three topics: Cayman gold and silver coins, the turtle industry and that the postal rates doubled.

• Cayman made “numismatic history” by issuing $100 gold coins and $50 silver coins. They were the first Commonwealth coins ever minted to portray all of the queens of England and the first to feature more than two monarchs. The government imposed a deadline to order them by the end of December. And the editor urged people to order them immediately.
• The commentary on the turtle industry was focused on the sales of Mariculture Limited and highlighted how “heartening” it was that “Cayman’s main export industry and turtle farming will be fully alive once more”. It ended with “long may our turtle industry survive”.
• The final topic of the editorial was on the doubling of postal rates. Noting that “this is the most inopportune time to increase the rates” but that “it is rather timely from the point of view of finance-raising.” The advice was giving to post early for Christmas.