It was 1939 and in those days, the world could be found in a shallow pool on the rock platform at Newcastle Beach.

Islands and continents were shaped in concrete and children dressed in the modest bathing outfits of the day circled them in their makeshift boats under the indulgent eyes of parents.

Until I saw this photograph, the name of the "Canoe Pool" at Newcastle meant nothing to me. I knew an old concrete map of the world was buried under the sand and water but the connection to canoes was a mystery I hardly considered.

I recently found an old tourist brochure with this photo inside and the mystery was instantly solved.

But it raised another question: why was the "Canoe Pool" called the "Mariner's Pool"?

Was it dedicated to globe-circling mariners or were the mariners the children?

These are mysteries I'd be glad to solve.

If any Herald readers have information or other photographs, I'd like to hear from them.

gray@theherald.com.au