 Crooked Island
- This is a place for relaxing and doing
absolutely nothing. The friendly people on this island will make
your stay a memorable one. Crooked Island is a perfect place for
sailing and fishing.
The islands existed in virtual
obscurity until 1783, when American Loyalists began to settle
here. These former plantation owners brought slaves and money to
start a short-lived cotton industry which, by the beginning of the
19th Century, had more than 40 plantations employing 1200 slaves.
Acklins and Crooked Island are two
of the four islands forming an atoll which hugs the beautiful
shallow waters of the Bight of Acklins. Crooked Island opens onto the
Windward Passage, the dividing point between the Caribbean Sea and
The Bahamas. Whatever else he may have named it, it is said that
when Columbus landed at what is now Pittstown Point, he called it
Fragrant Island because of the aroma of its many herbs.
One scent
was cascarilla bark, used to flavor Campari liquor as well as the
native Cascarilla Liqueur, which is exported.
This is a very quite and remote
Island but has an abundance of bird life that thrives on the
cliffs and reefs around. Crooked Island is also said to be one of
the most exciting fishing destinations in The Bahamas where
you’ll find bone fishing, inshore fishing, and deep-sea fishing.
The Island’s capital is Colonel Hill where local government
offices are located.
Crooked Island has among its ruins
the building said to be the first Post Office in The Bahamas
located at Pitt’s Town.
For the best view of
the island, go to Colonel Hill, if you didn't arrive at the
Crooked Island Airport (also known as the Colonel Hill Airport),
with the same vantage.
Guarding the north end of this
island is the Marine Farms Fortress, an abandoned British
fortification that saw action in the War of 1812. It looks out
over Crooked Island Passage and can be visited (ask your hotel to
make arrangements for you). |
