The sparsely settled Bahamas had been a gathering place for pirates since the late 1680’s. By the early 1700’s Governor Clark of the Bahamas had increased the numbers of pirates in his domain by liberally issuing Privateering commissions to legitimize the ever increasing numbers of pirates. New Providence provided perfect shelter with a large shallow harbor which could accommodate five hundred small pirate craft while excluding deep draft war ships. Merchants, traders, women of ill repute, all catering to the pirates, made the town the perfect port for pirates to rest between ventures. As the colony grew many complaints against the pirates were made by governors of other English colonies. Several governors were sent by the crown and were turned away by the populace until 1718 when Woods Rogers arrived with authority to pardon or punish pirates. Many pirates accepted the pardon and turned to more acceptable trades while the more determined turned to other areas of operation.

Return to the Curriculum to continue your studies