New Providence is the most populated island in the Bahamas. While the first European visitors to the Bahama Islands were Bermudian salt rakers gathering sea salt in Grand Turk and Inagua after 1670, the first lasting occupation was on Eleuthera and then New Providence shortly thereafter. The attraction of New Providence was one of the best sheltered natural small vessel harbors in the Caribbean.
Because of the harbor and near adjacency to the Flo...
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New Providence is the most populated island in the Bahamas. While the first European visitors to the Bahama Islands were Bermudian salt rakers gathering sea salt in Grand Turk and Inagua after 1670, the first lasting occupation was on Eleuthera and then New Providence shortly thereafter. The attraction of New Providence was one of the best sheltered natural small vessel harbors in the Caribbean.
Because of the harbor and near adjacency to the Florida Strait, New Providence became a nest of pirates preying on mainly Spanish shipping returning to Spain with gold, silver, and other wealth. The apex of pirate activity there was from 1715 to 1725, after which the British government established a formal colony and military headquarters centered on the small city of Nassau fronting the New Providence harbor.
In February 1776, American Esek Hopkins led a squadron of over seven ships in an effort to raid the British-held island in order to secure supplies and munitions. The Battle of Nassau,...
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