National

Today in History: April 19

A navel blockade, the 1976 CARIFTA Games and an ambush by prison officers. See what events took place on this day in history.

Published

1 year ago

April 19, 2023

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, Circa April 19th 1744 – Richard Fitzwilliam died.

Fitzwilliam served as Governor of The Bahama Islands from 1733 – 1740. Mount Fitzwilliam on which government house is built is named after him.

The historical society notes in 1737 he originally built his home on the ten acre estate before it was purchased by the government in 1799 and a residence for the governor was built there.

Robert Rumer

Then on this day in1802 – Robert Rumer was elected to serve as Vestrymen of St. Matthews Anglican Church.

The church’s website notes that in the early 1700s, as the inhabitants of New Providence grew, they found it difficult to worship in one small place, which at that time was Christ Church, a small wooden building.

By 1799 the legislative council passed an act to build a church in the “east” and gave £3,000 for construction. Upon completion, the total cost was more than seven thousand pounds (excluding the steeple), with a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty.

The steeple was later erected in 1816 and remains as built to this day.

1861 Naval Blockade

Then in 1861 – United States President Abraham Lincoln ordered a naval blockade of the southern Confederate States of America, in rebellion against the United States government.

The historical society notes the blockade of southern ports by the Union Navy became the catalyst for the era of blockade running in the Bahama Islands. This period lasted from 1861 – 1865 and brought an economic boom to the colony, starting just as the Royal Victoria Hotel was completed.

1976 CARIFTA Games

Then on April 19th-20th, in 1976 The Bahamas played host for the CARIFTA games. It was a first for the country. The games were held at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium in New Providence.

Shonel Ferguson who would later become a Member of Parliament for the Fox Hill constituency in 2017 lept to a Bahamian record in long jump that year, winning a gold medal for her performance.

The Bahamas carried a total of 23 medals. Nine of them gold.

Prison Officers Ambush

Fast forward to 2012 when then National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest was ambushed by dozens of irate prison officers during a visit to launch a new drug program at what was then Her Majesty’s Prison. The Prison Staff Association was working with government on a promotions exercise at the time but members held an audience with the minister to address other issues including poor working conditions.

COVID-19

And, finally in 2020 – when positive cases of COVID-19 had just reached 60 with 51 of those cases recorded in New Providence, seven in Grand Bahama, one in Bimini and one in Cat Cay.

The latest dashboard at the time showed 11 recovered cases and nine related deaths.