Lucayan/Christopher Columbus
As early as 300 to 400 AD, people who came from what is now Cuba (there was no country named Cuba at that time) lived on The Islands Of The Bahamas and relied on the ocean for food. The Lucayan people settled circa 900-1500 AD.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall in the New World on the island of San Salvador. Inspired by the surrounding shallow sea, he described them as islands of the “baja mar” (shallow sea), which has become The Islands Of The Bahamas. When he arrived, there were about 40,000 Lucayans. Their peaceful nature made the Lucayans easy targets for enslavement however, and within 25 years, all of the Lucayans were wiped out due to the diseases, hardships and slavery they endured.
First Settlement
English Puritans known as “Eleutheran Adventurers” arrived in the Bahamas in 1649 in search of religious freedom, what they found was severe food shortages. Captain William Sayles sailed to the American colonies for help and received supplies from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Upon his return, the settlers thanked them by shipping them brasileto wood. The proceeds helped purchase land for what later became Harvard University.
Age of Piracy
During the late 1600s to early 1700s, many privateers and pirates frequented the Bahamas, among them: Blackbeard and Calico Jack. Female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read also visited disguised as men.
The shallow waters and 700 islands made great hiding places for treasure. Also, the islands’ close proximity to well-traveled shipping courses created the perfect spot from which to pilfer and plunder merchant ships. Today, rumours of hidden treasure still exist. It is believed that British pirate William Catt buried loot on Cat Island and Sir Henry Morgan(yardie), a wealthy privateer, buried treasure throughout the islands.
Nassau Struggles
Nassau was established around 1670 as a commercial port. Initially, it was overrun by lawless, seafaring men. Unlike Port Royal (Jamaica) which was destroyed by an earthquake, Nassau’s destruction came twice at the hands of Spanish troops, and by the French and Spanish navies.
Woodes Rogers was appointed in 1718 by the King of England to serve as the Royal Governor. He was tasked with restoring order. This he accomplished by offering amnesty to those who surrendered. Resisters were decreed to be hung. Approximately 300 pirates surrendered and the rest, including Blackbeard, fled.
The Loyalists
American colonists loyal to Britain landed in Eleuthera, many brought slaves as well as their building skills and agriculture and shipbuilding expertise. In 1783, they solidified their independence and forced the retreat of the Spanish forces from the region without firing a shot.
Civil War and Prohibition
From 1861 to 1865, The Islands Of The Bahamas benefited greatly from the U.S. Civil War. Britain’s textile industry depended on Southern cotton; however, the Union blockaded British ships from reaching Southern ports. Blockade runners from Charleston met British ships and traded cotton for British goods. Upon their return, they sold their shipment for huge profits. In 1919, the United States passed the 14th amendment prohibiting alcohol. Prince George Wharf in Nassau was expanded to accommodate the flow of alcohol. When Prohibition ended in 1934 so did the enormous revenues. This, combined with the collapse of the sponge harvesting industry, resulted in economic devastation.
Tourism and Independence
The Hotel and Steam Ship Service Act of 1898 opened the doors of the Bahamas to the world. This act provided subsidized the construction of hotels as well as steamship service.
On July 10, 1973, The Bahamas ending 325 years of British governance and gained their independence. The Bahamas, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations celebrates July 10th as Independence Day.
