National

Today in History: February 17

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, a fleet of ships departed from Delaware to conduct a raid on the town of Nassau in 1776.

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, a fleet of ships departed from Delaware to conduct a raid on the town of Nassau in 1776, in what would turn out to be the first amphibious operation of the Continental Marines.

The Bahamas Historical Society reports the fleet was ordered to recover gunpowder and ammunition that had been ordered away from Virginia to New Providence by Governor Lord Dunmore. The eight ships arrived in The Bahamas two weeks later for the Battle of Nassau.

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Then in 1887, British Colonial Administrator George Strahan, who served as Colonial Secretary from 1868–1872 died in England. He was 48.

Strahan also served as acting governor from 1872–1873.

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In 1905, the Spanish ship, Anton, was caught in a storm and sank off the coast of Abraham’s Bay in Mayaguana.

The Historical Society reporting that the ship and her crew of six sailors were rescued by residents while some from all settlements on the island came to plunder the cargo from the wrecked vessel.

The sailors from the boat were held as captives for 16 days before they commandeered a boat and made their escape south to Inagua.

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On this day in 1987, Olympic multi-medalist Ramon Miller was born in Nassau. Miller specialized in the 400 meters and 4×4 meter relay.

At the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Miller helped the men’s 4×4 meter relay team win the silver medal. Four years later at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Miller anchored the men’s 4×4 meter relay team to a gold medal, earning them the title Golden Knights.