Today In History: November 8

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, on the 8th of November 1861, the USS Jacinto intercepted the RMS Trent in then-British waters of the Old Bahama channel.  

After boarding and searching the vessel the union vessel apprehended two confederate envoys: Murray Mason and John Slidell. 

The two men were on the Trent as passengers going to Great Britain and France seeking recognition and diplomatic support during the United States Civil War.

This sparked a diplomatic incident between the United Kingdom and the United States known as the Trent affair, nearly bringing the two countries to the brink of war.
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Then in 1963 – the now-defunct Bahamas racing and sports car club was formed and incorporated in New Providence.

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And in 2021, Attorney General Ryan Pinder revealed $1.1 million was spent by the Minnis administration on the failed prosecutions of former cabinet minister Shane Gibson and former PLP Senator Frank Smith.

Pinder made the revelation while delivering his first contribution in the senate after he was appointed to the post following the 2021 General Election. 

During his communication, the ag said the majority of those funds were spent on Mr. Gibson’s prosecution case.

Gibson was acquitted of 15 counts of bribery after being accused of allegedly soliciting and accepting thousands of dollars from jonathan ash to expedite payments the government owed the contractor.

Smith was acquitted of charges of allegedly abusing his position as Public Hospitals Authority chairman to demand and receive bribes from Barbara Hanna over the award of a 2016 cleaning contract.