Pieces of Eight

Cayman Islands

The Caymans were another of Columbus’ many discoveries, and named Las Torgugas (The Turtles) by him. They remained for 150 years nothing more than a place where a ship could forage supplies of water and meat.

England acquired the islands from the Spanish during the same deal that saw Jamaica become an English colony.

Early settlements grew and floundered, constantly harassed by pirates, and England eventually abandoned the islands, though without giving up their sovereignty.

With the English gone, the pirates moved in. Although nowhere near the den of scum that is Tortuga, the Caymans remain unsafe for those who do not follow the pirates’ way of life