Now we get the real pirates of the Caribbean! During the 17th century and the early 18th century the promising agricultural economy went down hill. The islands of the Bahamas became a haven for pirates and even government sanctioned privateers. Many of the islands were ruled by corrupt governors. English, Dutch, and French buccaneers overwhelmed Spanish Galleons laden with gold from newly discovered lands. All that was left in their wake was ruin, revelry, and the stuff of the movies…buried treasure.
By 1700 the pirates, for all intents and purposes ruled Nassau Bahamas. Due to the success of the pirates the Spanish often attacked their stronghold of New Providence for revenge. The combination of the lawless and drunken rule of the pirates and the revenge attacks of the Spanish drove most of the original settlers out. Those that remained found they could survive by supplying the successful and now rich pirates. The environment was ripe for the pirates as the islets, hard to navigate shoals, and secret harbors were perfect stalking grounds from which to prey and attack ships trading with and sailing from the new world to the old. Many of the Spanish ships were laden with the plunder from their attacks on South and Central America. All those islands of the Bahamas also provided excellent places to hide the pirates treasure. It is believed that much of that pirates treasure stills lies buried in some of those limestone caverns of the islands of the Bahamas.
It is important to understand that at this point there was little difference between the pirates and the privateers. The only real difference was on paper in that the privateers actually had a government license. This license called the Letter of Marque simply gave them permission to attack enemy ships. Soon, however the privateers also started preying on the crown ships due to the increased pirates treasure and profit. The infamous Blackbeard (Edward Teach), was one of the most successful of the pirates of the Caribbean was one of those who called Nassau Bahamas his home. His success was one of those things that led to the law abiding islanders, merchants, and British Crown saying enough was enough.
The military and civil government was turned over to King George I, and he commissioned Captain Woodes Rogers as the first Royal governor of the islands of the Bahamas. He began by offering royal pardons to those pirates who would cease and desist, and many took the offer. He also captured hundreds and some were even sent to England for trial. Eight were hanged and this must have provide incentive for others there to promise the king they would be law abiding residents. There were exceptions such as the aforementioned Blackbeard. He ignored the warnings and eventually his ship was trapped by a british ship (the Pearl) in a sandbar. It is said that Blackbeard gave a toast to the British commander (Lieutenant Robert Maynard) with a mug of rum and declared, “I will take no quarter and be damned if he gave any.” What ensued was a hand to hand battle in which Blackbeard took 5 pistol balls and 20 cutlass wounds before he finally fell. He was then beheaded and his head was put on the bowspirit of the Pearl.
As in any profession there were major players and minor ones. Prating and privateering was no exception. Many of the more known had their favorite islands. Many of us have heard of Cantian Kidd who we now know could be found at Kidd Cove or Elizabeth Horbour, Exuma. William Catt’s treasures may still be found off Cat Island. The female Anne Bonney may have also buried treasure there. Henry Morgan laid in wait off Andros, and his treasure has not yet been found. One pirate, George Watling, who as his name suggests was British, took over an Island (San Salvador) and named it after himself. It retook it’s former name in the 1900’s.
This is the stuff of the movies, and perhaps it intrigues us so, because it really happened! Good luck treasure hunting!