Today in History: April 18

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day, in Bahamian history, in 1833 – James Gambier died in England.

Gambier was born in New Providence on October 13th, 1756. He was the son of John Gambier, who served as Lieutenant-Governor.

The historical society notes that at the age of 11, the younger Gambier became admiral of the fleet of the British Royal Navy serving from 1767 to 1833.

Gambier on New Providence carries his family name.

Supreme Court

Then fast forward to 1994 when the first sitting of the Supreme Court was held outside New Providence.

The sitting was held at the Garnet Levarity Justice Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Democratic National Alliance

On April 18th, 2012 at the height of the election campaign season, the Democratic National Alliance held a march against crime in which supporters carried placards and chanted songs shouting, “Vote DNA, stop the murder rate”.

Then DNA leader Branville McCartney said enough had not been done to deal with the issue despite a package of crime bills passed in parliament the previous year.

Superintendent Clayton Fernander Shot

Then in 2013, six days after he was airlifted to a Florida hospital then Superintendent Clayton Fernander returned home, after he was shot multiple times outside his home.

Despite his injuries at the time, he and a team of officers aggressively pursued two suspects who were subsequently arrested within 24 hours of the crime. Both suspects were charged, convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Nine years later, on July 5, 2022, Fernander, who enlisted into the force in 1982, made history becoming the 9th Commissioner of Police in an independent Bahamas.

Grand Bahama COVID-19 Vaccine

And, finally on this day in 2021- Grand Bahama residents began receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in a phased rollout on the island.