Nassau: Republic of Pirates | The Pirates Port
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Today we think of Nassau being a tropical vacation paradise full of beautiful hotels with pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Cruise ships routinely stop here and divers explore the gorgeous coral reefs offshore. It wasn’t always this way and today we’re going to explore Nassau’s past.
In 1670 British settlers on New Providence founded a town around a fort and named it Charles Town in honor of the English King Charles II. The town was used as a base for privateers against the Spanish up until 1684 when a Cuban privateer named Juan de Alarcón invaded on behalf of Spain. Alarcón arrived with 150 men at dawn and, without having any chance to react, the English were incapable of defending the town. The Bahamian governor, Robert Clarke, was captured and ultimately tortured to death being roasted on a spit. The town was burnt to the ground and the remaining English fled with around 200 fleeing to Jamaica.
In 1695 the town was rebuilt under Governor Nicholas Trott and renamed Nassau in honor of William III, King of England. William’s family was called the House of Nassau. In October 1703 Nassau was again invaded by a Spanish and French allied force that occupied the town before once again burning it down. After this the English largely ignored the Bahamas and there was no legitimate governor until 1718. During this time Nassau became a pirate haven and the Governor of Bermuda reported that there were over 1,000 pirates in Nassau.
The pirates transformed Nassau into a pirate republic, a radical concept for the day where the men governed themselves. The harbor was too shallow for large warships but could fit around 500 sloops, there was fresh fruit, game for hunting, and a fresh water source. The republic was led by two pirates who were bitter rivals - Benjamin Hornigold and Henry Jennings. Jennings was a mentor to Charles Vane, Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read. Hornigold was a mentor to Sam Bellamy, Stede Bonnet, and the famous Edward Thache, better known as Blackbeard. I just want to take a moment to address the name Thache versus Teach. In a soon to come video I’ll take a look at the name and explain why I prefer Thache, which sounds a lot like Teach or Thatch, but in a nutshell I believe his father has been identified as Edward Thache Sr., a wealthy plantation owner that moved to Jamaica around 1685.
Anyway, back to Nassau. Despite pirates having personal rivalries from time to time they agreed to ally with one another and develop the republic. Blackbeard was voted to be Magistrate enforcing law and order as he saw fit. The Pirates rule of law was called the pirate code and according to the code the pirates ran their ships as democracies, sharing plunder equally, selecting their captains by popular vote, and they even had a rudimentary form of workers compensation insurance in case someone was injured in battle. As free people former slaves were now free men and were equal members of the crews. In some cases these men even became captains themselves.Originally the pirates agreed to avoid attacking British ships with Thomas Barrow remarking “We will make it a second Madagascar, and expects 5 or 600 men more from Jamaica sloops to join in the settling of Providence, and to make war on the French and Spaniards, but for the English, they don't intend to meddle with them, unless they are first attack'd by them”. In time this rule was broken, either due to greed or simply slim pickings in the waters around the Bahamas. However, at the height of the pirate republic some captains commanded fleets of ships large enough to take on Royal Navy frigates.
As Nassau grew, both in size and in reputation, the public outcry for the removal of the pirates also grew as well. In 1718 King George I appointed Woodes Rogers as governor of the Bahamas as sent him with explicit instructions to break up the republic of pirates. Rogers arrived in Nassau with a fleet of 7 ships and offered a pardon to any pirate who agreed to refrain from further piracy. Rogers also rebuilt the fort using his own money. One of the pirates who accepted Rogers offer was Benjamin Hornigold. Hornigold was commissioned to hunt down the pirates who refused to surrender and bring them to justice. While pirates like Blackbeard and Charles Vane escaped and were not captured by Hornigold he did take ten pirates prisoner and on December 12th 1718 nine of the pirates were executed. After this the British re-established control.
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Пікірлер: 165
Edward Kenway brought me here.
@SpartanDemiGod
2 жыл бұрын
Black flag was one of my favourite AC games ever !
@maniacalo2901
2 жыл бұрын
I know right
@caleb1rshelton
Жыл бұрын
Capt James Flint brought me here
@hiiipowerbass2337
Жыл бұрын
Who?
@caleb1rshelton
Жыл бұрын
@@hiiipowerbass2337 he's a character in a videogame that's set in Nassau during the golden age of piracy.
Edward Kenway loves this place.
@utube-aholic3785
2 жыл бұрын
242 I'm a proud bahama mama
I looked this up because I miss the fantastic TV show Black Sails. Thanks for this history lesson 👍🏼👏🏼
@stefankoen
2 жыл бұрын
Filmed in South Africa
@draphotube4315
2 жыл бұрын
@@stefankoen lmfao for real? 🤣 just
@stefankoen
2 жыл бұрын
@@draphotube4315 yup. Cape town film studios
@gh4707
Жыл бұрын
Black sails is in my top 3 of tv series ever. It was historically accurate for the most part and the acting and effects were really really well done. I’ve watched it multiple times and plan to re watch it again after watching all pirate ports videos as of late. Highly recommend it to any one viewing this comment
@fourshore502
11 ай бұрын
@@gh4707 i think it had both strengths and weaknesses. it was not very historically accurate at all as far as the characters and story goes. just look at the way they killed off black beard. and rackham (calico jack) being this nervous loser that is bullied by everyone? nonsense! calico jack was tough and mean as hell. there are lots of other examples of blatant inaccuracies.
I'm from Nassau, BAH, born and raised and you can see many remnants of the pirates days still on this island today. Thank you for this mini documentary
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Glad that you liked it Britney!
@battleshiparmorlord
Жыл бұрын
what are some examples of pirate remnants that can still be seen?
@britb90
Жыл бұрын
@@battleshiparmorlord the forts, the old cannons, old brick infrastructures around the coast, old jails still built into the forts, etc… is still readily accessible to view and touch for both tourists and locals
@akumaking1
2 күн бұрын
@@britb90found anything fun like lost coins?
@britb90
2 күн бұрын
@@akumaking1 haha not yet!
You know it’s a good day when Pirates Port uploads! 🏴☠️💪🏽
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! ☠🏴
Good video mate! Interesting fact: The hotel called British Colonial Hilton Nassau sits on the site of Fort Nassau. The only physical part of the fort that survives is the water well. This hotel was built by Henry Flagler. I can say I have walked the streets and waterfront of Nassau in my full Pirate garb (no weapons) many times on my visits there! I could feel the energy from the legendary pirates that once called the place home!
@ericbyo9472
Жыл бұрын
Dude they were serial rapists and murders These were people that would rape your mother infront of you while you desperately tried to stuff your intestines back in to your body.
@TheRiverPirate13
Жыл бұрын
@@ericbyo9472 Lol! Mate, your thinking about the wrong island and individuals. Not Pirates and Nassau but Jeffrey Epstein and every male politician he took to Little St James.
@TheFrostFilesPodcast
5 ай бұрын
@@TheRiverPirate13bro what
Pirate's workers comp, that's hilarious. Great vid.
Great video, pirates have always been a really interesting part of history.
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks glad you enjoyed it!
I was conceived in Nassau - O didn't know this until I moved to The Florida Keys and was working on boats part-time and loved it. My mother then said, "ugh, I got pregnant with you in Nassau, and I knew you'd wind up spending your life at sea".
@christiannawhigham4868
2 жыл бұрын
Litttttttt
Captain Flint brought me here
Awesome video, I appreciate the effort it must have taken to make it. Keep them coming!
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I didn't think Nassau still existed that's really fascinating. Would love to go there someday
@shawnbulger6894
6 ай бұрын
Just left there 5 days ago
I still miss this place....my childhood ❤️
Just joined your discord and keep up the great work!
Thank you brother I am Bahamian and proud to be from the Bahamas 🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸 more history about that Slaves how was bring in too the Bahamas please 🥺
I took a cruise here back in ‘22. Learned all of this history when on vacation there. Very historic and beautiful part of the world, like my Philippines! This part of the world reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. 😊👌❤️🚢🛳️🏝️🏝️
the Caribbean islands are very strategic historically.
I saw something based on port royal and now these videos.... LOVE IT
Great video mate, keep the great work up
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I remember reading a book a long time ago on calico Jack rackham and Bonnie and Mary read. This took me back. Thanks for the content!
Just finished watching the mostly fictional 4 series of Black Sails. It combines some of the characters from Treasure Island with real history. Amazing series sparking a great Interest in the factual events of the time particularly what happened in Nassau.
Amazing stuff!
Poor pirates, they just want a place to call their own. Hey they tried. Another interesting one! Looking forward to the next one as well!
@dominichuston8612
3 жыл бұрын
They will rob you within a second. Not so poor
@carnation6827
3 жыл бұрын
@@dominichuston8612 its a joke mate but yea they would in a heart beat
@Viperfan3190
3 жыл бұрын
Your right though they tried and it got way too popular and that was their problem
@carnation6827
3 жыл бұрын
@@Viperfan3190 absolutely!
Congratulations for your national holiday on 10th July Bahamas from your friends in Germany
@antoniocollie865
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Just commenting for the algorithm! Great video though, I always saw New providence as a independent pirate republic in eu4 and wondered about its origins and this video helped! I also subscribed and liked and joined the discord!
I will give you more information on Nassau. In the late 1600s, the famous pirate Henry Avery arrived in Nassau. He was allied with the governor Cadwallader Jones. Cadwallader Jones was regarded as a tyrant by Thomas Bulkley. Bulkley also made mention of a powerful Black group active in Nassau whom history seems to want to forget. They were powerful, so powerful that one of them was appointed Governor of The Bahamas by the inhabitants. His name was Read Elding. Read Elding apparently possessed a small fleet captained by Black men and crew. Although there aren't many direct mentions of them, there is enough for us to know they existed.
@youngbosslijah
Жыл бұрын
Wow
@manfromthepast
Жыл бұрын
We know why that's never mentioned.
I had some good content I had never heard of.👏👏👏
finally a port that I can trust
Really nice artwork !!!
Me realizing how historically accurate AC4 actually is
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Not very.
I think being a pirate was super tough though. I don't think it was as glamorous as we see it today.
@THEVISIONOFAITH
Жыл бұрын
Who see it glamorous i think you got you informatio from movies or fantasy stories
@enditakamweneshe6428
Жыл бұрын
The present day Somalian pirates have already shown that it is hard life.
This has popped up as an Advert. Thought I'd check it out and I'm gald I did. Very interesting.
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great content!
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Camilo!
i wish the pirate's republic would have lasted forever :((((
@JoshuaAviation242
3 жыл бұрын
Then you will hear cannons all day
@brookingsbeachcomber
3 жыл бұрын
might be making a comeback
@brookingsbeachcomber
3 жыл бұрын
@@JoshuaAviation242 but we get Rum
I love this channel
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you’re enjoying the videos!
Wow so much history in one island
awesome video!
The best tropical black sails paradise
Where I from Nassau Bahamas 🇧🇸 thank you sir 🙏 🙌 keep up the good work 👏 🙌 👍 👌
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Donald
Just found your videos, great summaries! Do you know who/where the painting at 3:45 is from? Would love to see more painting of this type
Wow good work with that video^^
@ThePiratesPort
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Really enjoyed this video. Besides Nassau is it known what other islands in the Bahamas 700+ were used or occupied by Pirates? Definitely subscribed and looking forward to new videos.
@silverwave5788
2 жыл бұрын
Crooked island was home to French pirates. Hence, the name Crooked Island.
Fun fact: There is another area in what is now florida also called nassau, and it was also once a separate pirate republic. Specifically, it was Amelia Island, which has been multiple pirate nations at some point. First, it was the Republic of East Florida. Later, after changing hand a few more times, it became the Republic of the Floridas.
once i saw that notification my heart went boom boom
Thank you that was interesting I'm looking forward to the special about Blackbeard's real name.
Permission to board Captain? New subscriber ready to roll-and-go! :-)
"She was singing about pirates! Bad luck to be singing about pirates in this marred and ungodly weather." -hello.
nicely done
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Wow.
To be a pirate absolutely hammered on rum in Nassau
Wow 😲 I'm from The Bahamas 🇧🇸
well done scallywag sub'd too
Duncan walpole i mean edward kenway, that mad dog brought me here. Good days aye
Good stuff, mate. Prefer accurate pictures of PI and Atlantis when referencing.
Always hated chasing them shantys
Where can I find the image that you used as the thumbnail and during the video?
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/bb/dc/9bbbdcd67c225a68339a4d3cae6206d7.jpg
Come all you young sailor men, listen to me I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea
Pirates for all eternity
Must watch TV show suggestion - Black Sails!.. it is mad underrated..
@johnferris9526
Жыл бұрын
unbelievable first season. second and third season good. 4th season.. ok
@Ravishrex1
Жыл бұрын
Horn blower
Its interesting how the pirates manager to conquer The Bahamas for 11 years
I recognise buildings from AC4
It wasn't Thatch or Teach. His last name was Beard and he was raised in the Carolinas. He called himself Black (surname) as it was a common naming convention at the time (such as Black Bellamy, et al), and further obfuscated his identity by continually giving fake names and origin stories. I love your videos, just my two cents.
Jackdaw 🥰
Anyone here from Black Sails or Assassin Creed Black Flag!, be honest now? 😂😁
@chad1682
Жыл бұрын
Ronnie Richardson Black Flag here! 😌
👍
Kaizoku mugiawara Luffy bought me here
when did the Bahamas became a British colony?
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
The first English settlers arrived in 1648.
wheres kenway
Who later watch netflix "The pirate republic" ??
Black Sails brought me here.
Is this actual history? Or the story of treasure island and black sails
@ThePiratesPort
2 жыл бұрын
actual history
I live here and I didn't know some off these facts
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Always cool to find out new things right? I visited Nassau years ago and loved it. You have a beautiful country!
@stevenhanna6973
Жыл бұрын
@@ThePiratesPort cool thanks very much
I wish I'd found this when I was researching my novel 'Renegade.' Significant parts are set in Nassau. Oh well, so be it, I found what I was looking for anyway, but this stuff is all good to watch anyway.
I live in Nassau and am a Bahamian love the video but we use the name Edward teach more so than thatch
2:27 _Tich.. in Netherlands (Tichelt / Tichellen) & Prussia.. in other words.._ *He Was Related To The Pirate Overlord (van Tich..ellen)* _..who was Magistrate or "Master" (Local Nobility Title of İsle of Pirates, with Port Nassau as capital) of the Pirate Realm.._ *Sieg, Sovereign Hetman: (LİTERALLY RELATED TO BLACKBEARD!!)* ✓✓
Edward kenway 😏😏😏😏
Sea of thieves brought me here
Assassin Creed black flag
Charles Vane,,Mery Reid..Blackbeard..ac Black Reference
~ When a literal gang of outlaw pirates from 300 years ago is more progressive than your country ~
Formerly Duchy.
Some slaves were freed by pirates, but most were not and there is little to no evidence of slave pirate captains.
Free land for free man
Tell me about the Dominican Republic
Hello
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
Hello back!
bill billy bones the pirate, and pirate republic club. on Facebook.
As a Bahamian, I can honestly say that piracy is alive and well through our government 😁
They were all pirates, the spanish, british and portugese navies robbed each others boats as a matter of course. The British museum is full of stolen goods. But i guess that is another story.
Has anyone said how undersubbed you are?
@ThePiratesPort
3 жыл бұрын
😂 I’m happy more people are coming across the channel and, more importantly, enjoying the videos!
We disappointed the men-Black beard,Charles Vane,Mary Read,Calico Jack Racham annd traitor Ben Hornigold
Pity Nassau is just a crappy tourist trap now :/
Everything u see here of modern nassau is Not the real nassau but just a part of it. The rest of the town is pretty dumpy ..
Ac Black Flag
Nassau sure turned into a dump.
Did I hear nothing about the African Population of slaves brought to Nassau or what about the Indigenous Caribou people that were there before the English? Other than that it is good and informative video.
@ThePiratesPort
Жыл бұрын
It was not meant as an all encompassing history of Nassau. This was the story of the pirates who based there.
@kenneth9874
Жыл бұрын
It was about pirates
Black Sails brought me here.