The History of the Economic and Social Progress of the Cayman Islands
Abstract
The history of the economic and social progress of the Cayman Islands (the “islands” or the “country”) from the first inhabitants has been a journey consisting of various methods of earning income and adaptation to changes in time. As today turns into the past history takes place – it becomes evident that those methods were successfully developed to meet the growing demands of the country.
Discovery History
On 10th May 1503 Christopher Columbus sighted the Cayman Islands on his fourth and final voyage. At that time he discovered thousands of turtles on the shores and initially called the islands “Las Tortugas”. In 1523, a map was drawn showing all three Islands under the name “Lagartos,” meaning alligators or large lizards. By 1530, the islands were called the “Caimanas” which derived from the Carib Indian word for the marine crocodile that formerly inhabited the islands. “Caimanas” evolved to the Cayman Islands, the present name (www.caymanislands.ky).
During the period of Christopher Columbus, the islands had no inhabitants, just visitors from sailing ships. Because of the depredations of Spanish privateers, the governor of Jamaica called the settlers back to Jamaica, though by this time Spain had recognized British possession of the Islands in the 1670 Treaty of Madrid. Often in breach of the treaty, British privateers roamed the area taking their prizes, probably using the Cayman Islands to replenish stocks of food and water and careen their vessels (Government, C. I. (n.d.). The British intrusion on the Spanish American Empire was done under the orders of Oliver Cromwell’s army (J.A. Bodden 2007). The first recorded settlements were located on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac during 1661-71.They remained largely uninhabited until the 17th century. The first known settlers arrived in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac around 1658; it is likely these were deserters from Oliver Cromwell’s army in the British colony in Jamaica. Many of the early
The history of the economic and social progress of the Cayman Islands (the “islands” or the “country”) from the first inhabitants has been a journey consisting of various methods of earning income and adaptation to changes in time. As today turns into the past history takes place – it becomes evident that those methods were successfully developed to meet the growing demands of the country.
Discovery History
On 10th May 1503 Christopher Columbus sighted the Cayman Islands on his fourth and final voyage. At that time he discovered thousands of turtles on the shores and initially called the islands “Las Tortugas”. In 1523, a map was drawn showing all three Islands under the name “Lagartos,” meaning alligators or large lizards. By 1530, the islands were called the “Caimanas” which derived from the Carib Indian word for the marine crocodile that formerly inhabited the islands. “Caimanas” evolved to the Cayman Islands, the present name (www.caymanislands.ky).
During the period of Christopher Columbus, the islands had no inhabitants, just visitors from sailing ships. Because of the depredations of Spanish privateers, the governor of Jamaica called the settlers back to Jamaica, though by this time Spain had recognized British possession of the Islands in the 1670 Treaty of Madrid. Often in breach of the treaty, British privateers roamed the area taking their prizes, probably using the Cayman Islands to replenish stocks of food and water and careen their vessels (Government, C. I. (n.d.). The British intrusion on the Spanish American Empire was done under the orders of Oliver Cromwell’s army (J.A. Bodden 2007). The first recorded settlements were located on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac during 1661-71.They remained largely uninhabited until the 17th century. The first known settlers arrived in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac around 1658; it is likely these were deserters from Oliver Cromwell’s army in the British colony in Jamaica. Many of the early
Bibliography: Governor, J. A. (1905/06). Colonial Reports, Cayman Islands (Jamaica). Grand Cayman: Photocopy by CINA.