Introduction - Adventure Guide to Cayman Islands - page 10

THE WRECK OF THE TEN SAILS
According to the latest research, in 1794, a great maritime trag-
edy took place off the east end of Grand Cayman. The Wreck of the
Ten Sails is still legendary on Grand Cayman, recalling the trag-
edy of the Cordelia , part of a convoy of merchant ships headed to
Britain from Jamaica. Cordelia ran aground on the reef at the
east end and frantically sent a signal to the other ships in the con-
voy to warn them off the dangerous coral. Sadly, the signal was
misunderstood and, one by one, they all ran into the reef. East
End residents were credited with their quick actions that saved
many lives, an act that King George III later recognized. Various
stories explain that the King granted the islands freedom from
conscription and other versions say that the king gave the islands
freedom from taxation.
In 1832 the citizens of the Cayman Islands met at what is today the oldest
remaining structure on the island, Pedro St. James National Historic
Site . Remembered as the “Birthplace of Democracy” in Cayman, this site
witnessed the first vote to create a legislature of representatives. This his-
toric building has been renovated and is now open to the public (see page
146). By 1835, slavery had been outlawed by Great Britain and the islands
led a quiet existence, many of the population working as fishermen or
building turtling boats. The sea provided a livelihood for most residents,
who then traded for agricultural items that couldn't be grown on the is-
land. Palm thatch was transformed into marine rope and offered in barter
for daily staples. During this time, shipbuilding became a major industry
as well.
For the next century, the Cayman Islands remained relatively isolated.
Residents continued their old traditions, but hurricanes, tidal waves, and
a depletion of the green turtle supply forced some residents to sail to Cuba,
Honduras, and Nicaragua to earn a living. The merchant seamen navi-
gated the waters and this sustained the economy of the islands until tour-
ism and finance rose to prominence in the 20th century. During this time,
the islands were not only cut off geographically, but they also lacked much
communication with the outside world. The first wireless station wasn't
built until 1935.
Modern Times
The jump into the 20th century was aided by commissioner Sir Allen
Cardinall , who served on the island from 1934 to 1940. Linking the public
buildings of Grand Cayman with a network of roads, the commissioner
was also the first public figure to recognize the tourism potential, even not-
ing that one beach was “the most perfect bathing beach in the West
Indies.”