Dolphin (Trafalgar) Fountain - Bridgetown, Barbados
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 13° 05.805 W 059° 36.830
21P E 216574 N 1449300
The Dolphin (Trafalgar) Fountain is located in Heroes' (Trafalgar) Square in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Waymark Code: WMGC5M
Location: Barbados
Date Posted: 02/13/2013
Views: 8
The beautiful Dolphin Fountain goes by several names. Originally it was referred to as the Trafalgar Fountain, since it was located in Trafalgar Square. The square has since been renamed Heroes' Square. Bajans refer to it as the Dolphin Fountain; others call it the Shell Fountain.
The Dolphin Fountain is a white (coral limestone?) multi-tiered fountain. A large 45' circular basin at the bottom holds a pool of water from the fountain. In the middle of the basin is a 18' diameter circular scalloped basin resembling a shell. Rising from the shell are three intertwined dolphins standing on their heads. A jet of water shoots up in an arc from each head. The tails of the dolphins support a small basin which receives water from an even smaller basin above. A water flows from a final top three-finial into the basins below.
The fountain opened opened in 1865 to commemorate the introduction of piped water to Bridgetown, in March 1861. A pair of plaques on the front of the fountain are inscribed.
THIS FOUNTAIN WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
TO COMMEMORATE THE BRINGING OF PIPED WATER TO
THE CITY OF BRIDGETOWN
ON MARCH 29TH 1861
OPENED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR - ROBERT MILLER MUNDY
ON THE 27TH JULY 1865
WHO ACCEPTED CUSTODY OF THIS FOUNTAIN ON BEHALF OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOS
and
THE PUMP FOR THIS FOUNTAIN WAS INSTALLED
BY THE BARBADOS NATIONAL TRUST
A GRANT FROM THE ADVOCATE COMPANY LIMITED
(ESTABLISHED 1895)
The stamp is part of a 16 stamp set issued by Barbados on May 4, 1970 depicting various sights in Barbados.