Located in Back Bay (Western Bay) are a number of small islands, the largest being Slave Island which is some 2 miles to the northeast of Flint Island.
Flint Island, also known as Flint Rock, Quarantine Island or Sheikh Ahmad Island, is located in Ordnance Bay some 300 metres offshore from the Secretariat and The Crescent Hotel. One of its names is most likely linked to that of Sheikh Ahmad Tomb, also known as Sheikh Said Tomb, which is 600 metres south-west, near the war memorial building.
There were at one time eight buildings on the island and one would suppose these were in fact used for quarantine purposes in cases of epidemic, both cholera and smallpox being a recurrent problem. Today most of the buildings have gone and there is now just one large horseshoe-shaped building on the western end of the island.
Old postcards have been seen which incorrectly give the name as 'Hint Island'.
Flint Island, also known as Flint Rock, Quarantine Island or Sheikh Ahmad Island, is located in Ordnance Bay some 300 metres offshore from the Secretariat and The Crescent Hotel. One of its names is most likely linked to that of Sheikh Ahmad Tomb, also known as Sheikh Said Tomb, which is 600 metres south-west, near the war memorial building.
There were at one time eight buildings on the island and one would suppose these were in fact used for quarantine purposes in cases of epidemic, both cholera and smallpox being a recurrent problem. Today most of the buildings have gone and there is now just one large horseshoe-shaped building on the western end of the island.
Old postcards have been seen which incorrectly give the name as 'Hint Island'.