Our moorage, between the islands of Warderick Wells and Hog Cay, was the old haunt of pirates! Nearby small islands are named Pirate Retreat, Teach (aka Blackbeard) Rock, Pegleg Rock, (Bloody Mary) Read Rock, and (Anne) Bonney Rock. That’s right, “lady pirates” are commemorated here! The anchorage was the perfect hiding spot for pirates, with Hog Cay masking the pirate ships from view, and Warderick camouflaging their masts and rigging. All within easy reach of the Wide Opening, where heavily-laden cargo schooners entered and exited the Exuma Bank and could be easily picked off by the pirate ships.
Within yards of the beach is the Pirate’s Lair. This is where the pirates came ashore to relax between pillaging expeditions. In the lair, there are palm trees not indigenous to the Bahamas, and grasses found in Louisiana. The theory is the pirates unrolled their hammocks and mats to relax, scattering seeds picked up in other locations. The lair also has a “well” of fresh water – actually a “lens” of fresh rain water that floats on top of the salt water – so they could have cool water to mix with their daily ration of rum!
Scattered at intervals are beautiful small crescent beaches. We took a good long dinghy ride, out in the calm ocean and around Hog Island. Looks like this was the day to do it, as a cold front and lots of wind are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. We are glad to be on the mooring, rather than at anchor, as even in the calm times, the tidal current races through our harbor at 1-2 knots – first one direction and then 180 degrees opposite, turning about every 6 ½ hours.
Within yards of the beach is the Pirate’s Lair. This is where the pirates came ashore to relax between pillaging expeditions. In the lair, there are palm trees not indigenous to the Bahamas, and grasses found in Louisiana. The theory is the pirates unrolled their hammocks and mats to relax, scattering seeds picked up in other locations. The lair also has a “well” of fresh water – actually a “lens” of fresh rain water that floats on top of the salt water – so they could have cool water to mix with their daily ration of rum!Scattered at intervals are beautiful small crescent beaches. We took a good long dinghy ride, out in the calm ocean and around Hog Island. Looks like this was the day to do it, as a cold front and lots of wind are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. We are glad to be on the mooring, rather than at anchor, as even in the calm times, the tidal current races through our harbor at 1-2 knots – first one direction and then 180 degrees opposite, turning about every 6 ½ hours.
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