Crystal Cave
| Crystal Cave | |
| Bermuda | |
|---|---|
 Within Crystal Cave | |
| Co-ordinates: | 32°20’58"N, 64°42’48"W |
| Depth: | 200 feet |
| Length: | 550 yards |
Crystal Cave is a cave in Bermuda, about 200 feet deep and 550 yards long.[1] The lower 60 - 65 feet of the cave are below water level.
The cave is in Hamilton Parish, close to Castle Harbour. It formed at a time when the sea level was lower; as the sea level rose, many cave formations which formed above water became submerged.
Crystal Cave was discovered in 1905, and became a tourist attraction in 1907, It was discovered by Carl Gibbons and Edgar Hollis, two 12-year-old boys searching for a lost cricket ball.[2][3] Soon afterwards, the Wilkinson family (the owners of the property since 1884) learned of the discovery. Mr. Percy Wilkinson lowered his 14-year-old son Bernard into it with a bicycle lamp on 140 feet of strong rope tied to a tree to explore the cave.
The area surrounding Harrington Sound (which lies to the south of Crystal Cave) is of limestone formation and is noted for its many subterranean waterways, through which the waters of the sound empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Crystal Cave is one of these, and, as its name suggests, is known for its beauty, with many stalactites, stalagmites and deep, clear pools. However, some crystal formations have been damaged by earthquakes in the distant past.
An excursion to Crystal Cave also includes the neighbouring Fantasy Cave, which goes deeper.
The two caves located on 8 Crystal Caves Road. at Wilkinson Avenue. Outside the two caves is a sub-tropical garden lined with palm trees where many species of trees and flowers grow.
The caves are owned by the local Wilkinson Trust and are open to the public.
Gallery
References
- ↑ "Crystal Cave, Bermuda". Wondermondo. http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/NA/Bermuda/Bermuda/CrystalCave.htm.
- ↑ Howard, Blair (2004). Adventure Guide Bermuda (Adventure Guides Series). Edison, N.J: Hunter. pp. 115. ISBN 1-58843-392-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=tidnXCD_D7gC&dq=crystal+cave+bermuda+cricket&pg=PA115.
- ↑ "Caves of Wonder in Bermuda: Crystal and Fantasy Caves - Travel - Excite UK". http://travel.excite.co.uk/news/4094/Caves-of-Wonder-in-Bermuda-Crystal-and-Fantasy-Caves.