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Turks Islands Landfall: A History of the Turks and Caicos Islands
The 2020 edition of ‘Turks Islands Landfall – A History of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ is a comprehensive account of the little-known history of this British West Indian colony. The new publication is a lengthy hardcover book rich in illustrations, statistics, historical maps, charts, and recounts the Islands’ history from earliest times to the present. It presents a compelling argument - shared by several scholars - that Columbus’ first landfall was on the island of Grand Turk, and discusses the pre-Columbian Indian culture on the Islands. It charts the Islands’ colorful past as a rendezvous for Caribbean pirates and the Bermuda privateers and mariners who pioneered the salt making industry in the seventeenth century.
During the Eighteenth Century, the Islands were placed under a Bahamian custodianship, which didn’t sit well with the Bermudian salt proprietors, who lobbied England for a separation from the Bahamas in 1848. The period known as the ‘Presidency,’ which followed gave a form of self-government which ended in bankruptcy after 25 years, and TCI became wards of Jamaica until 1962. After a subsequent re-alignment with the Bahamas ended in 1973, the Islands reverted to its status as a British Crown Colony.
“Landfall” delivers extensive data on the Turks Islands salt economy – once a critical part of the North American trade, while the larger Caicos Islands pursued the short-lived cotton agriculture introduced by American Loyalist settlers and their slaves in the 1780’s.
Slavery and the appeal of nearby ‘free’ Haiti for runaway slaves from Turks and Caicos is examined, as well as the post-emancipation role of religious bodies, and more lately the development of a tourism industry. A vast trove of information is uncovered on the countless shipwrecks here, including the renowned Phips ‘Silver Banks’ treasure in 1687 and the ‘Molasses Reef Wreck,’ one of the oldest shipwrecks found in the Americas.
This publication preserves and adds new material to the prior editions. It augments the scant body of research and knowledge on this Island archipelago and is a valuable resource for students and followers of TCI’s historical background and heritage.
During the Eighteenth Century, the Islands were placed under a Bahamian custodianship, which didn’t sit well with the Bermudian salt proprietors, who lobbied England for a separation from the Bahamas in 1848. The period known as the ‘Presidency,’ which followed gave a form of self-government which ended in bankruptcy after 25 years, and TCI became wards of Jamaica until 1962. After a subsequent re-alignment with the Bahamas ended in 1973, the Islands reverted to its status as a British Crown Colony.
“Landfall” delivers extensive data on the Turks Islands salt economy – once a critical part of the North American trade, while the larger Caicos Islands pursued the short-lived cotton agriculture introduced by American Loyalist settlers and their slaves in the 1780’s.
Slavery and the appeal of nearby ‘free’ Haiti for runaway slaves from Turks and Caicos is examined, as well as the post-emancipation role of religious bodies, and more lately the development of a tourism industry. A vast trove of information is uncovered on the countless shipwrecks here, including the renowned Phips ‘Silver Banks’ treasure in 1687 and the ‘Molasses Reef Wreck,’ one of the oldest shipwrecks found in the Americas.
This publication preserves and adds new material to the prior editions. It augments the scant body of research and knowledge on this Island archipelago and is a valuable resource for students and followers of TCI’s historical background and heritage.
434 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 25, 2022
Already own a villa, or thinking about buying one, in the Turks & Caicos Islands, or just want information on one of the smaller countries in the World for your next trivia session, then this in the book you must buy now to leave on your coffee table for others to enjoy.Bertie Sadler devoted his lifetime to compiling the contents; it is more then a history, more then an encyclopedia, it a book that will entertain you, both by its style and its content. It is the perfect gift for a friend.
January 23, 2022
This is a great overview of the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a must-have for the libraries of anyone interested in the History of the Caribbean. If you have the previous editions, this version provides many more maps, updates and details. 100% recommend.
April 1, 2021
Really good read for anybody interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Must have for anybody interested in visiting the country!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews