HOLE-IN-THE WALL ABACO: “MIND THE GAP” – A NEW ISLET IS BORN
17th October 2012
Jack Bowers and friends visited Hole-in-the-Wall and took what are probably the last photos of Hole-in-the-Wall before Hurricane Sandy struck, and the central arch was smashed into the sea – this one below, and others HERE
6th November 2012
Less than 3 weeks later, John Haestad made the same trip towards the end of the promontory. This time, it was different. The arch was gone. Beyond the breach, a new islet, separated from the mainland by a foaming channel. John has kindly given use permission, and you are now looking at what may be the first image of Abaco’s new geography. A feature that had appeared on maps since at least the early c18, been a landmark for marine navigation for centuries, and lent its name to the lighthouse station, has gone forever. A very small island at the southeastern tip of Abaco has been born…
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL PROMONTORY, ABACO
(Since posting this, Jack Bowers has come up with ‘Holy Isle’, which has a certain ring to it…)
ADDITION I have now found a photo by Jennifer Arrington (to whom thanks for use permission) which shows from a helpful angle both the intact Hole and the small tip of land beyond, now an island. Many photographers are understandably drawn to the Hole itself by the time they have trekked across the sharp uneven rocks to get to it. This is one of the few I have found that gives a wider perspective.
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL: THE ‘ISLAND’ BEFORE IT BECAME ONE…
AFTERWORD FROM ROLLING HARBOUR
For an interesting philosophical and metaphysical discussion on whether the collapse of the arch made any sound if there was no one (and / or no living creature) there to hear it, check out IF A TREE FALLS IN A FOREST… but please don’t if that sort of arcane and /or pointless argument drives you mad with irritation
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
Pingback: Abaco Scientist – More on Hole in the Wall
Maybe Sandy’s Rock?
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That’s good too, Rick. The only drawback with the ‘Sandy’ suggestions is that Sandy happens to be the name of the general manager at the Delphi Club (Rolling Harbour HQ). We certainly wouldn’t want him to think that whole new territories were being named for him… It might go to his head! RH
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YEA MON WE USED TO DROP DE HOOK AN DIVE THERE WHEN DE WEATHER WAS GOOD ESP AFTER A STORM THERE WAS TWO OLD SCHOONER RECKS DARE AN ALL KINDA STUF WOULD WASH UP DOWN BELOW
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Capt. Frank Papy? It’s a sad loss – but there’s evidence that the rock had been deteriorating so I guess it had to happen sometime. Thanks for calling in at Rolling Harbour.
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Wow! Can’t wait to take a hike to check it out.
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When you go, take a camera! It would be great to have more pics (if you would be so kind – I am 4250 miles away. I’d need a very expensive lens!). And ‘Mind the Gap’. RH
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Great perspectives; literally & figuratively.
And while hurricane Sandy caused it, ‘sandy’ seems like such a misnomer for a rock with no beach. Not to mention a bad memory for folks up North who are still w/o power. But, she did officially form this new prominence. Holy isle has a nice ring to it, for our now “Gap in the Wall”.
It will be hard to get back up on that rock again as I did on 10/17/12. But I just might be du.., er intrepid enough to cross “Jack’s gap” again someday. 😉
Jack Bowers, RPh
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Holy Island. I like it. Quite a lot. Not sure about ‘Jack’s Gap’ though…😼
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