At approximately 23 51.24 N/076 13.42 W lies the Darby Islands. There is a good anchorage between the Darbys with Little Darby on the Exuma Sound side providing protection from the prevailing winds.
Just to the west of Little Darby Island lies the much larger Darby Island on the Exuma Bank side. The owner of Darby Island in the 30’s and 40’s was Sir Baxter, an Englishman and a bit of an eccentric that was a known German sympathizer. The most prominent feature on Darby Island is the large green house on the hill known as The Castle that he built in 1939. He had a first rate radio room and machine shop where he built beautiful wicker furniture.
He planted over 20,000 coconut palms and imported herds of cattle, sheep and goats. His labor force was drawn from local workers and was probably the largest employer in the area, but he was known to be rather stingy.
He dredged the channel between the Darbys and built a concrete dock to allow U-boats to enter and tie up. It is rumored that he would ferry supplies out to U-boats and even gave sanctuary to a few survivors of a U-boat sunk by Allies in the vicinity.
His popularity declined appreciably after the outbreak of World War II and eventually he and his mistress were asked to leave the islands.
At an asking price of $38,000,000, Darby Island can be yours (see: http://www.bahamaslocal.com/property_info/17734/Big_Darby_Island.html )
SOURCE: The Exuma Guide
Stephen J. Pavlidis
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