October 2015 - The Cemetery Detective™

Military Cemetery at Dawes Bay – Bermuda Cemeteries

The Military Cemetery at Dawes Bay contains the burial remains of sailors and settlers fallen by tragedy including shipwrecks and Yellow Fever.

Military Cemetery at Dawes Bay – Bermuda

Cresting the hill at Grenadier Lane, travelers are treated to a spectacular view of the crashing waves off the coast of St. Georges, Bermuda. In the distance, breakwater is churned by shallow reefs which have caused damage to uncountable ships looking for safe harbor since the town was settled in 1612.

Cemetery overlooks the sea at Dawes Bay - Bermuda — The Cemetery at Dawes Bay

The Military Cemetery at Dawes Bay contains the burial remains of sailors and settlers fallen by tragedy. Not only ship wreck victims are buried here but also Yellow Fever sufferers from outbreaks in the 1800s. Engraved marble grave markers contain the names of Commanders, Captains, and Commoners.

Military Cemetery on Bermuda. Grave marker of Yellow Fever Victim

Across from the Cemetery, Dawes Bay is a small inlet ideal for dabbling your feet and feeling the fine grit sand between your toes during calm water days.

Dawes Bay - Bermuda — Dawes Bay – Bermuda

Lusk Cemetery – Marion County, Tennessee

Lusk Cemetery in the heart of Marion County, Tennessee. Prentice Cooper State Park

Lusk Cemetery in the heart of Marion County Tennessee

Along dusty Game Reserve Road in the heart of Marion County, Tennessee is a small cemetery deep within the Prentice Cooper State Forest. There was no cemetery listed on my map when I happened upon Lusk Cemetery. With windshield wipers clearing a narrow field of vision, my van was turning earth colored from all the dust being thrown up on this narrow hunting road. Occasionally gunshots rang out and as I exited my vehicle, 4 hunters on two 4-wheelers appeared from the woods. They stopped briefly to watch me extend the legs on my tripod, then, being more interested in hunting deer than watching some weirdo taking pictures in a cemetery, they revved up their all-terrain vehicles and vanished into the densely wooded state park.

I love Marion County and Prentice Cooper State Park. When I’m sick of the city, Prentice Cooper is one of my favorite get-aways. I can hike for miles in the woods and never see a soul. But these guys on their 4-wheelers; I admire them. I admire their local knowledge of the land upon which they live. I admire the fact that if civilization ever shuts down, these guys will be the survivors. I looked upon them with caution as they came roaring up on their 4-wheelers. Would they consider me a threat? Would they not take kindly that I was taking photographs of their relative’s grave sites? Nah, I’m just like them…exploring the land, paying respect to those who have passed along before me, and minding my own business not hurting anyone.

Lusk Cemetery represents God’s Country in Marion County, Tennessee.

Walling Cemetery – Pikeville Tennessee Near Fall Creek Falls

Walling Cemetery – Pikeville, Tennessee near Fall Creek Falls State Park

Walling Cemetery – Pikeville, TN

On a drive to one of Tennessee’s most beautiful State Parks (Fall Creek Falls), I made a detour to Walling Cemetery. This time of year on the upper elevations of the Cumberland Plateau, the winds carry a chill but the skies are brilliant blue.

Walling Cemetery is one of those cemeteries I imagine is a gathering place for residents in nearby communities. With sheltered eating areas, outhouses, and a small church, I envision countless generations have spent Sunday afternoons congregating on the outer edges of the cemetery grounds. Men speak of football and business dealings while their wives compare hats and Sunday dresses slightly annoyed at their children running and playing amongst the wide open cemetery.