Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DAMNED YANKEES & SPANISH SCOURGE
The Bahamas lay close to the North American colonies, and the outbreak of the American
Revolution in 1775 put the Bahamas in the firing line. Not for the last time, the American
Navy fell upon Nassau, intent on capturing arms and explosives (the first-ever foreign inva-
sion by US forces). The Yankees occupied Nassau, carousing for two weeks before sailing
away.
In 1782 a joint Spanish-French-US force again took advantage of England's weakened
position to capture the city. Spain declared possession of the Bahamas and then made life
intolerable for the city's inhabitants.
The most famous Loyalist of them all was a South Carolina widow named
Wyannie Malone, who arrived at Elbow Cay, Abaco, with her four chil-
dren and settled the island almost single-handedly. Today it seems like
half of all islanders bear the last name Malone.
Andrew Deveaux, a Loyalist, recaptured the Bahamas for England a year later with 200
pro-British mercenaries. The Spaniards watched from afar as longboats ferried soldiers
ashore. As the landing point was hidden from view, the soldiers stood up for the journey to
shore and then the same men lay out of sight for the journey back to the ship, repeatedly.
Thus the Spaniards gained the impression that thousands of troops were landing. The Span-
iards packed their belongings and set sail for Cuba. The Treaty of Versailles formally ceded
the Bahamas to England from Spain.
