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Bahama Islands information
BAHAMAS (Lucayos), an archipelago of the British West Indies. It is estimated to consist of 29 islands, 661 cays and 2387 rocks, and extends along a line from Florida on the northwest to Haiti on the south-east, between Cuba and the open Atlantic, over a distance of about 630 m., from 80° 50' to 72° 50' W., and 22° 25' to 26° 40' N. The total land area is estimated at 5450 sq. m., of which the main islands occupy 4424 sq. m., and the population was 43,521 in 1881 and 53,735 in 1901. Some 12,000 of these are whites, the remainder coloured. The main islands and groups, beginning from the north-west, are as follows: Little and Great Abaco, with Great Bahama to the west; Eleuthera (a name probably corrupted from the Spanish Isla de Tierra), Cat, Watling, or Guanahani, and Rum Cay on the outer line towards the open ocean, with New Providence, the Exuma chain and Long Island forming an inner line to the west, and still farther west Andros (named from Sir Edmund Andros, governor of Massachusetts, &c., at the close of the 17th century; often spoken of as one island, but actually divided into several by narrow straits); and finally the Crooked Islands, Mayaguana and Inagua. The Turks and Caicos islands continue the outer line, and belong geographically to the archipelago, but not politically. The surrounding seas are shallow for the most part, but there are three well-defined channels - the Florida or New Bahama channel, between the north-western islands and Florida, followed by the Gulf Stream, the Providence channels (north-east and north-west) from which a depression known as the Tongue of Ocean extends southward along the east side of Andros, and the Old Bahama channel, between the archipelago and Cuba. The Andros islands have a length of 95 m. and an area of 1600 sq. m.; Great Abaco is 70 m. long and its area is 680 sq. m.; Great Inagua is 34 m. long with an area of 530 sq. m.,.
and Grand Bahama 66 m., with an area of 430 sq. m. But the most important island, as containing the capital, Nassau, is New Providence, which is only 1 9 1 m. in length, with an area of 85 sq. m. This island supported a population in 1901 of 12,534. In point of population the next most important islandisEleuthera (8733), followed by the Andros Islands (J347) and Cat Island (4658). The Abaco and Exuma groups and Long Island each support populations exceeding 3000, and there are smaller populations on Grand Bahama, the Crooked Islands, Inagua, Mayaguana, Watling, Rum Cay and the Biminis, though these last, which are two very small north-western islands, are relatively densely populated with 545 persons.
Geography
The islands are of coral formation and low-lying. The rock on the surface is as
hard as flint, but underneath it gradually softens and furnishes an admirable
stone for building which can be sawn into blocks of any size, hardening on
exposure to the atmosphere. The highest hill in the whole range of the islands
(in Cat Island) is only 400 ft. high. It is a remarkable fact that, except in
the island of Andros, no streams of running water are to be found in the whole
group. The inhabitants derive their water supply from wells. As a result of the
porosity of the rock, many of the wells feel the influence of the sea and
exhibit an ebb and flow. There is an extensive swampy lagoon in Eleuthera, the
water of which is fresh or nearly so; and brackish lagoons also occur, as in
Watling Island. An artificial lake in New Providence, constructed for the use of
the turtle-catchers, is noted as exhibiting an extraordinary degree of
phosphorescence. A remarkable natural phenomenon is that of the so-called "
banana holes," which frequently occur in the limestone. Their formation has been
attributed to the effect of rotting vegetation on the rock, but without
certainty. These holes are of various depths up to about 40 ft., and of
curiously regular form. The Mermaid's Pool in New Providence, which is deeper
still, is partly filled with water.
Geology
The Bahamas consist almost entirely of aeolian deposits (cf. Bermudas) and coral
reefs. The aeolian deposits, which form the greater part of the islands,
frequently rise ,in rounded hills and ridges to a height of 100 or 200 ft., and
in Cat Island nearly 400 ft. They vary in texture from a fine-grained compact
oolite to a coarse-grained rock composed of angular or rounded fragments, and
they commonly exhibit strongly marked false bedding. The material is largely
calcareous, and has probably been derived from the disintegration of the reefs,
and from the shells of animals living in the shallows. When freshly exposed the
rock is soft, but by the action of rain and sea it becomes covered with a hard
crust. The surface is often remarkably honeycombed, and the rock weathers into
pinnacles, pillars and arches of extraordinary shapes. On the island of Andros
there is an extremely fine white marl almost resembling a chalky ooze. The coral
reefs are of especial interest from their bearing on the general question of the
formation of coral reefs.
Nassau
The scenery of the islands is picturesque, gaining beauty from the fine
colouring of the sea and the rich vegetation. Nassau is a winter health-resort
for many visitors from the United States and Canada. The town lies on a safe
harbour on the north shore of New Providence, sheltered by the small Hog Island.
There is a depth of 1 4 ft. at low-water spring-tide on the bar. The town
extends along the shore, and up a slightly elevated ridge behind it. It contains
the principal public buildings, and some interesting old forts, dating from the
middle and close of the 18th century, though the subterranean works below Fort
Charlotte are attributed to an earlier period. From the same century dates the
octagonal building which, formerly a gaol, now contains a good public library.
The sea-bathing is excellent. The months of February and March are the principal
season for visitors. There is direct connexion with New York by steamers, which
make the journey in about four days; and there is also connexion with Miami in
Florida.
Climate, Flora, Fauna
The climate of the Bahamas adds to their attractions. The mean temperature of
the hottest months (June to September) is 88° F., and that of the coldest
(January to March ) 66°. In a series of observations of winds about one half
have been found to indicate a direction from north-east or east. Hurricanes
occur from July to October, and May to October are reckoned as the rainy months.
The rainfall recorded in 1901 at Nassau amounted to 63 . 32 in. Where a mantle
of soil covers the rock it is generally thin but very fertile. A well-defined
area in New. Providence is known as the " pine barrens," from the tree which
principally grows in this rocky soil. Elsewhere three types of soil are
distinguished - a black soil, of decayed vegetable matter, where the land is
under forest, a reddish clay, and a white soil occurring along the shores.
Andros Island and the Abaco Islands may be specially noted for their profusion
of large timber, including mahogany, mastic, lignum vitae, iron and bullet
woods, and many others. Unfortunately the want both of labour and of roads
renders it. impossible to turn much of this valuable timber to useful account,,
although attempts have been made to work it in Abaco. The fruits and spices of
the Bahamas are very numerous, the fruit. equalling any in the world. The
produce of the islands includes tamarinds, olives, oranges, lemons, limes,
citrons, pomegranates,. pine-apples, figs, sapodillas, bananas, sour-sops,
melons, yams,, potatoes, gourds, cucumbers, pepper, cassava, prickly pears,
sugar-cane, ginger, coffee, indigo, Guinea corn and pease. Tobacco and
cascarilla bark also flourish; and cotton is indigenous and was woven into cloth
by the aborigines. But although oranges, pine-apples and some other fruits form
important articles of commerce, it is only rarely that systematic and thorough
methods of cultivation are prosecuted. Cotton has been found to suffer much from
insect pests. Sisal is grown. in increasing quantity. The Bahamas are far poorer
in their fauna than in their flora. It is said that the aborigines had a breed
of dogs which did not bark, and a small coney is also mentioned. The guana also
is indigenous to the islands. Oxen, sheep, horses and other live-stock
introduced from Europe thrive well, but little attention is paid to
stock-rearing. There are many varieties of birds to be found in the woods of the
Bahamas; they include flamingoes and the beautiful hummingbird, as well as wild
geese, ducks, pigeons, hawks, green parrots and doves. The waters of the Bahamas
swarm with fish; the turtle procured here is particularly fine, and the sponge
fishery is of importance. In some islands there are rich salt ponds, but. their
working has decreased. The portion of Nassau harbour known as the Sea Gardens
exhibits an extraordinarily beautiful development of marine organisms.
Government, Trade, &c. - The colony of the Bahamas is under a British governor,
who is assisted by an executive council of nine members, partly official, partly
unofficial; and by a legislative council of nine members nominated by the crown.
There is also a legislative assembly of 29 members, representing 15 electoral
districts; the franchise being extended to white and coloured men of 21 years of
age at least, resident in the colony for not less than twelve months, and
possessing land of a value of 5 or more, or being householders for six months at
a rental not less than £2 : 18s. in New Providence, or £1 : 4s. in other
islands. The members' qualification is the possession of real. or personal
estate to the value of £200. The average annual. revenue and expenditure may be
set down at about f75,000, expenditure somewhat exceeding revenue. There is a
public debt of about £105,000. The average annual value of imports is somewhat
over £300,000, and of exports £200,000. The. average annual tonnage of shipping,
entering and clearing, exceeds r,000,000. The government supports elementary
free schools, controlled by a nominated board of education, while committees
partly elected exercise local supervision. There are higher schools and a
Queen's College in Nassau. Nassau is the seat of a bishopric of the Church of
England created in 1861. The Bahamas are without railways, but there are good
roads. in New Providence, and a few elsewhere. A cable connects. Nassau with
West Jupiter in Florida.
History
The story of the Bahamas is a singular one, and bears principally upon the
fortunes of New Providence, which, from the fact that it alone possesses a
perfectly safe harbour for vessels drawing more than 9 ft., has always been the
seat of: government when it was not the headquarters of lawlessness. San
Salvador, however, claims historical precedence as the landfall of Columbus on
his memorable voyage. Cat Island was long supposed to be the island first
reached by Columbus (12th October 1492) and named by him San Salvador. Then the
distinction was successively transferred to the neighbouring Watling, Great
Turk, and Mariguana; but in 1880 the American marine surveyor, G. V. Fox,
identified San Salvador, on seemingly good grounds, with Samana (Atwood Cay),
which lies about midway between Watling and Mariguana. The chief difficulty is
its size, for, if Samana is the true San Salvador, it must have been
considerably larger then than now. Watling Island is generally accepted as the
landfall.
Columbus passed through the islands, and in one of his letters to Ferdinand and
Isabella he said," This country excels all others as far as the day surpasses
the night in splendour; the natives love their neighbours as themselves; their
conversation is the sweetest imaginable; their faces always smiling; and so
gentle and so affectionate are they, that I swear to your highness there is not
a better people in the world." But the natives, innocent as they appeared, were
doomed to utter destruction. Ovando, the governor of Hispaniola (Haiti), who had
exhausted the labour of that island, turned his thoughts to the Bahamas, and in
1509 Ferdinand authorized him to procure labourers from these islands. It is
said that reverence and love for their departed relatives was a marked feature
in the character of the aborigines, and that the Spaniards made use of this as a
bait to trap the unhappy natives. They promised to convey the ignorant savages
in their ships to the " heavenly shores " where their departed friends now
dwelt, and about 40,000 were transported to Hispaniola to perish miserably in
the mines. From that date, until after the colonization of New Providence by the
British, there is no record of a Spanish visit to the Bahamas, with the
exception of the extraordinary cruise of Juan Ponce de Leon, the conqueror of
Porto Rico, who passed months searching the islands for Bimini, which was
reported to contain the miraculous " Fountain of Youth." This is in South
Bimini, and has still a local reputation for healing powers.
It is commonly stated that in 1629 the British formed a settlement in New
Providence, which they held till 1641, when the Spaniards expelled them. This,
however, refers to the Providence Island off the Mosquito Coast; it was only in
1646 that Eleuthera was colonized, and in 1666 New Providence, by settlers from
the Bermudas. In 1670 Charles II. made a grant of the islands to Christopher,
duke of Albemarle, and others. Governors were appointed by the lords
proprietors, and there are copious records in the state papers of the attempts
made to develop the resources of the islands. But the buccaneers or pirates who
had made their retreat here offered heavy opposition; in 1680 there was an
attack by the Spaniards, and in July 1703 the French and Spaniards made a
descent on New Providence, blew up the fort, spiked the guns, burnt the church
and carried off the governor, with the principal inhabitants, to Havana. In
October the Spaniards made a second descent and completed the work of
destruction. It is said that when the last of the governors appointed by the
lords proprietors, in ignorance of the Spanish raid, arrived in New Providence,
he found the island without an inhabitant. It again, however, became the resort
of pirates, and the names of many of the worst of these ruffians are associated
with New Providence; the notorious Edward Teach, called Blackbeard, who was
afterwards killed in action against two American ships in 1718, being chief
among the number.
At last matters became so intolerable that the merchants of London and Bristol
petitioned the crown to take possession and restore order, and Captain Woodes
Rogers was sent out as the first crown governor and arrived at New Providence in
1718. Many families of good character now settled at the Bahamas, and some
progress was made in developing the resources of the colony, although this was
interrupted by the tyrannical conduct of some of the governors who succeeded
Captain Woodes Rogers. At this time the pine-apple was introduced as an article
of cultivation at Eleuthera; and a few years subsequently, during the American
war of independence, colonists arri.ved in great. numbers, bringing with them
wealth and also slave labour.. Cotton cultivation was now attempted on a large
scale. In 1783, at Long Island, Boo slaves were at work, and nearly 4000 acres
of land under cultivation. But the usual bad luck of the Bahamas. prevailed; the
red bug destroyed the cotton crops in 1788 and again in 1794, and by the year
1800 cotton cultivation was almost abandoned. There were also other causes that
tended to retard the progress of the colony. In 1776 Commodore Hopkins, of the
American navy, took the island of New Providence; he soon, however, abandoned it
as untenable, but in 1781 it was retaken by the Spanish governor of Cuba. The
Spaniards retained nominal possession of the Bahamas until 1783, but before
peace was notified New Providence was recaptured by a loyalist,.
Lieutenant-Colonel Deveaux, of the South Carolina militia, in June 1783.
In 1784 and 1786 sums were voted in parliament to indemnify the descendants of
the old lords proprietors, and the islands. were formally reconveyed to the
crown. The Bahamas began again to make a little progress, until the separation
of Turks. and Caicos Islands in 1848, which had been hitherto the most
productive of the salt-producing islands, unfavourably affected. the finances.
Probably the abolition of the slave-trade in 1834 was not without its effect
upon the fortunes of the landed'. proprietors. The next event of importance in
the history of the Bahamas was the rise of the blockade-running trade,
consequent on the closing of the southern ports of America by the Federals, in
1861. At the commencement of 1865 this trade was at its, highest point. In
January and February 1865 no less than 20 steamers arrived at Nassau, importing
14,182 bales of cotton,, valued at £554,675. The extraordinary difference
between the normal trade of the islands and that due to blockade-running will be
seen by comparing the imports and exports before the' closing of the southern
ports in 1860 with those of 1864. In the first year the imports were £234,029,
and the exports £157,350,. while in the second year the imports were £5,346,112,
and the.. exports £4,672,398. The excitement, extravagance and waste. existing
at Nassau during the days of blockade-running exceed belief. Individuals may
have profited largely, but the Bahamas. probably benefited little. The
government managed to pay its, debt amounting to £43,786, but crime increased
and sickness. became very prevalent. The cessation of the trade was marked,,
however, by hardly any disturbance; there were no local failures,. and in a few
months the steamers and their crews departed,, and New Providence subsided into
its usual state of quietude. This, however, was not fated to last long, for in
October 1866 a.. most violent hurricane passed over the island, injuring the
orchards, destroying the fruit-trees, and damaging the sponges,. which had
proved hitherto a source of profit. The hurricane, too, was followed by repeated
droughts, and the inhabitants of the out-islands were reduced to indigence and
want, a condition which is still, in some measure, in evidence.
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