There were ex slaves, but based on piracy more than plantations. There were military bases, but more based on fighting piracy than great powers. Then there was also salt raking and tourist to compete for the local attention. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
The subject of todays stamp is a demonstration of Britain’s confidence in their staying power in Bermuda. The stamp shows a 16th century Spanish caravel ship of the type that Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez sailed when he discovered the island unoccupied. On a return visit he left some cows and pigs in case anyone was ever marooned there in a shipwreck. That is a lot about Spain and not much about Britain for a British colonial issue, but Spain had lost it’s last presence in the western hemisphere 15 years before so it was now safe history to explore.
Todays stamp is issue A11 a 2 and a half pence stamp issued by the British Crown Colony of Bermuda in 1912. This was a 15 stamp issue in various denominations and various versions between 1910 and 1934. I believe mine is the early version and if I am correct the Scott catalog places the value at 70 cents used.
As stated above, the Island was discovered by Spain who did not actually occupy it. A settlement was attempted by the Virginia company behind the Jamestown settlement. The area became a hideout for pirates and privateers and Britain sought to stamp that out by establishing a colony and a naval base. The African slaves were not brought in directly but rather privateers raided slave ships and then sold their trophies in the Bermuda slave markets. An early industry on the island was salt raiking were salt is raiked out of trapped seawater.
Over time the island came to have more of a relationship with the USA. Many Bermudan men found work at sea and so the islands became heavily female. The large British naval bases might have been able to solve that problem except for the arrival of ever more American tourists in the late 19th and early 20th century. Tour operators discovered than many Americans were bringing along their daughters in the hope of marrying them to British officers of noble background. Hotels began having a season of dances and other activities that invited officers. This left the Bermudan girls with just the enlisted men, some of whom were enticed to stay after their service.
One group that did not stay but left quite an impression were Boer prisoners of war around 1900. The colonial governorship was then held by an ex British General in the Boer war. One prisoner was a noted escape artist named Fritz Duquesne. He had already escaped 4 times before being sent to Bermuda. Here he escaped again by swimming over a mile and then stowing away to America. In America he was employed as a spy for Germany during both World Wars. He guided a U-boat that sunk the ship carrying his old Boer War rival Lord Kitchener. Later under arrest, he faked paralysis and was transferred to a hospital ward where he cut the bars from his window and escaped dressed as a nurse. He reappeared during WWII again spying for Germany. This time, he was older and the prison held on to him. In his last years he was patrolled and told his story as My Life, in and out of prison.
Bermuda remains a British Colony, they are now referred to as overseas territory. The military bases are gone but the backwater continues to do well for itself as a financial center and secondarily through tourism. With the British and American forces gone, Bermuda formed a locally staffed regiment that is part of the British Army. It is the last British unit that staffs using conscription of young males.
Well my drink is empty and I will pour another to toast Spanish explorer Bermudez. Not just for finding it but having the sense to leave pigs and cows to make the place sustainable for future residents. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.