Paul Williams, Gleaner Writer

A representative from the Jamaica Caving Organisation emerges from the cave in the Kirlew's backyard in Dairy, St. Ann, while another takes pictures. - Photo by Raymond Kirlew

Discovery Bay, St. Ann:

When Raymond Kirlew decided to fulfil his wife's dream of having a swimming pool in their Dairy, St. Ann, backyard, he got two workmen to drill the flat rock on the location.

But the workmen were in for a surprise when, after drilling for more than a day, the jackhammer suddenly went through the rock.

David 'Black Boy' O'Brien, who was the drill operator, and Roger Abbott, his assistant, were startled. They widened the hole created by the drill, only to see a smooth, flat layer of rock.

They summoned Mr. Kirlew, who instructed them to remove the rest of the top layer. Having removed the floor of the original layer, they saw dark openings going through rocks below. There and then, Mr. Kirlew abandoned his project because he realised they had stumbled upon a cave.

Very excited

The dream of having a backyard pool literally went down the drain. However, Mr. Kirlew's disappointment soon turned to ecstasy at the prospect of the find. "I was very excited ... because I realise this was something bigger than all of us," he said.

Eventually, the Jamaica Caving Organisation (JCO) was contacted. It replied, "This is a first - a cave discovered in Jamaica by someone digging a pool! We'd like to have a look at it, if possible."

What they found was stunning - a huge chamber filled with chalky boulders. There also appeared to be small adjoining chambers.

But what was even more striking were the small pools of crystal-clear water on one side, and fossils of coral, oyster shells and a conch shell embedded in the roof of the cave.

After the JCO left, Raymond and a friend went inside to see for themselves. They were awed by the subterranean scenery and the pools of water, which trickled through sedimentary rocks.

So, instead of a swimming pool, Mrs. Kirlew got pools of saltwater deep down in her backyard. She is yet to take her first dip.

She said, "I was totally amazed ... I am saying what is this we have got ourselves into, because we started out with a little project and this looks like something that we have no control over."

Mr. Kirlew is still excited about the cave and is committed to preserving and protecting the purity of the water that runs within.

paul.williams@gleanerjm.

See tomorrow's Gleaner for some photos of the interior of the cave and the fossils that were discovered inside.