Catboat history portrayed in stamps

Six stamps released last week by the Cayman Islands Postal Service tell the story of the Caymanian catboat, a part of local history and culture for which there has been renewed enthusiasm in recent years. 

“This issue tells a story, beginning with the reason catboats were made, their impact on our economy and the fact that they continue to be around today,” Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow said. “It involved taking a look into the past and bringing that to life so people can revisit an essential part of our history.” 

One hundred years ago, catboats were used to catch turtles, an activity shown on the 20¢ stamp. They were also used to carry cargo between the districts; this activity is shown on the $1.60 stamp. The actual building of the vessel is depicted on a 25¢ stamp, while sewing her sails is shown on the $2. Sailing around the Brac Bluff and a racing regatta and are shown on a 25¢ and 50¢ stamp respectively. 

The first day cover depicts a young man blowing a conch shell to announce a catboat’s arrival. 

Catboats are not unique to Cayman: Internet searches show the single forward-mast vessels have been around in various countries for more than 200 years. Cayman’s history book, Founded upon the Seas, states that the first Caymanian catboat was devised in 1904 by Daniel Jervis as the ultimate vessel for pursuing turtle. 

Captain Jervis was a Cayman Brac turtling captain and boat builder. His model was such an obvious improvement over the dugout canoe that it was copied on all three Islands. 

The typical catboat had a beam one-fourth the length from stem to stern. Over time, of course, distinctions developed. Kem Jackson, founding member of the Cayman Catboat Club, noted the most significant – the bilge on the Brac catboat is higher than its Grand Cayman counterpart. Mr. Jackson defined the bilge as the point where the side of the boat starts to bend toward the bottom. 

He also explained the reason why catboats are painted blue – apart from the fact that blue, black and white were the colours most readily available. Blue blended into the water, so turtlers could get closer to their prey. After the outside of the boat was painted, a little white would be mixed in with the remaining blue for the inside, Mr. Jackson said. 

The catboat issue is the third in the Cayman Islands Cultural Series.  

“We have a lot of people to thank for assisting the Postal Service with this issue, particularly in helping us to maintain historical accuracy in words as well as in the graphic representation. In this regard, we are indebted to our Stamp Advisory Committee members, the National Archive and Cayman Catboat Club members and District Administration,” Ms Glasgow said. 

A release from the post office said the cultural series of stamps was launched in February 2006. The first issue focused on plants such as the Red Mangrove, Ironwood, West Indian Cedar, Spanish Elm, Wash Wood and Fustic. The second illustrated how the Islands’ national tree – the Silver Thatch Palm, Coccothrinax proctorii, a species of palm found only locally – played its role in Cayman’s development.