The Abacos' character dates back to the island's Loyalist heritage. Pro-British colonists left the United States after the American Revolution of 1776 to establish plantations in the Bahamas. Some 600 refugees from New York founded Carleton, the first Loyalist settlement in the islands on Great Abaco near the present-day resort of Treasure Cay.
The Loyalists dreamed their town would become King Cotton of the Caribbean and, for a while, their vision came true. The Abaco Islands' economy boomed and the population flourished to over 2,000 people. But soon the bloom was off the cotton blossom and fields failed within a few years because of pests and soil depletion. Most of the settlers moved away, leaving a population of 400 on the islands by the end of the century -- 200 white planters and 200 black slaves. The fifty-fifty ratio has held steady to this day. The Abaco Islands have five times more white residents per capita than The Islands Of The Bahamas as a whole.
In the 1800s, The Abaco Islands took on an almost New England character as fishing, wooden boatbuilding and "wrecking" -- salvaging damaged ships while they were sinking -- became the mainstays of the local economy. It took nearly a century for the boatbuilding industry to strip the island of its hardwoods, and today only two firms carry on the tradition. Still, the Loyalist heritage of The Abaco Islands remains strong. Many island residents, commonly called "Conky Joes", vehemently opposed Bahamian independence and even tried to secede from The Bahamas and form their own British colony. Descendants of the original settlers even went to England to solicit the support of Queen Elizabeth II, but their efforts were rebuffed.
With excellent boating, fishing and scuba diving, The Abaco Islands rank high among the tourist destinations in The Out Islands. The historic Loyalist settlements that survive here offer a fascinating time-travel experience and striking contrast to both Nassau and Grand Bahama.
The Loyalists dreamed their town would become King Cotton of the Caribbean and, for a while, their vision came true. The Abaco Islands' economy boomed and the population flourished to over 2,000 people. But soon the bloom was off the cotton blossom and fields failed within a few years because of pests and soil depletion. Most of the settlers moved away, leaving a population of 400 on the islands by the end of the century -- 200 white planters and 200 black slaves. The fifty-fifty ratio has held steady to this day. The Abaco Islands have five times more white residents per capita than The Islands Of The Bahamas as a whole.
In the 1800s, The Abaco Islands took on an almost New England character as fishing, wooden boatbuilding and "wrecking" -- salvaging damaged ships while they were sinking -- became the mainstays of the local economy. It took nearly a century for the boatbuilding industry to strip the island of its hardwoods, and today only two firms carry on the tradition. Still, the Loyalist heritage of The Abaco Islands remains strong. Many island residents, commonly called "Conky Joes", vehemently opposed Bahamian independence and even tried to secede from The Bahamas and form their own British colony. Descendants of the original settlers even went to England to solicit the support of Queen Elizabeth II, but their efforts were rebuffed.
With excellent boating, fishing and scuba diving, The Abaco Islands rank high among the tourist destinations in The Out Islands. The historic Loyalist settlements that survive here offer a fascinating time-travel experience and striking contrast to both Nassau and Grand Bahama.
THE HERITAGE, ART AND BUSINESS OF BOAT BUILDING IN THE ABACOS
David Cote
In the Bahamas, Abaco has long been hailed for its unique boat-building reputation. One can imagine that the same driving spirit which led to their courageous search for religious and political freedom, also led to the realization that in order to continue to survive, they would have to turn this drive to the vast resources of the sea. Therefore, you can be sure when the first motivated bands of Loyalist settled on our shores, the mother of invention was on board. Surveying the majestic stands of prime Abaco Pine, the necessity for small sailing crafts to maneuver around the Abacos, would have stirred up the best of their ingenuity. The experience gained from years of natural disasters such as hurricanes, and the relentless demands of making a living from the sea, would have taught these hardy pioneers of boat-building every lesson of trial and error crucial to perfecting the craft which has earned them such world renown.
In the Bahamas, Abaco has long been hailed for its unique boat-building reputation. One can imagine that the same driving spirit which led to their courageous search for religious and political freedom, also led to the realization that in order to continue to survive, they would have to turn this drive to the vast resources of the sea. Therefore, you can be sure when the first motivated bands of Loyalist settled on our shores, the mother of invention was on board. Surveying the majestic stands of prime Abaco Pine, the necessity for small sailing crafts to maneuver around the Abacos, would have stirred up the best of their ingenuity. The experience gained from years of natural disasters such as hurricanes, and the relentless demands of making a living from the sea, would have taught these hardy pioneers of boat-building every lesson of trial and error crucial to perfecting the craft which has earned them such world renown.
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