Tortuga Island, Haiti
The Île de la Tortue, German " Turtle Island " is an island off the north coast of Hispaniola. It is one of Haiti and after Gonâve second largest island of the country. She is also known by its Spanish name Tortuga. The island has about 30,000 inhabitants.
In the 17th century it served especially pirates and buccaneers as a base.
Geography
The island is separated from the northern coast of the north-western peninsula of Hispaniola ( Presqu'ile du Nord Ouest ) through the at the narrowest point 6.8 kilometers wide Canal de la Tortue. It extends over 37.4 km in east-west direction, and is less than 6.7 km wide. The northernmost point of the island, Pointe Tête de Chien, is also the northernmost point of Haiti.
Management
The Île de la Tortue is a homonymous municipality ( commune) in the arrondissement of Port-de- Paix of the department of Nord-Ouest of Haiti. It is divided into two sections communales, Pointe des Oiseaux (east) and Mare Rouge (west). The municipal administration has its headquarters in Les Palmistes in the east of the island.
History
Tortuga was originally settled by Spanish colonists. In 1625 reached French and English settlers, who actually wanted to settle on Haiti, the island. Four years later, they were attacked by Spaniards under the command of Don Fadrique de Toledo. The English and the French were expelled, and the Spaniards began to fasten the island. After the Spanish army was withdrawn to Hispaniola to drive there also French settlers, the French returned, conquered the fort and strengthened it further.
1640 they built Fort de Rocher in a natural harbor. Since this year the island under the French and English was divided. It was buccaneers ( pirates) allows to use the island as their base. 1633 the first slaves were imported from Africa to work on the plantations. However, this did not sit by, and already in 1635 ended slavery here again. It was said that the slaves be advised on the island out of control. At the same time enduring tensions and conflicts between the English and French settlers were. This allowed the Spaniards to return in 1635 and take the island by surprise. However, they soon moved off again, as the island was not particularly meaningful to them. Again returned to the French and English, and the Spaniards occupied again in 1638 to oust the French and newly arrived Dutch. After initial success, they were surprisingly beaten back this time.
As of 1640, the buccaneers of Tortuga the brothers of the coast called. They were mainly French and English descent, but also some Dutch were among them. Tortuga experienced between the years 1640 and 1670 its free exploitative heyday and was a popular haunt of pirates and transshipment of contraband and prey of the hijacked ships. The Pirates of Tortuga have a lasting influence on today's picture of the appearance of a buccaneer. On the island was all sorts of colorful people, consisting of daring guys with eye patch, peg leg, headscarf to meet etc.. Binge and fights were common.
To at least bring a little order to the island, decided the French governor of the island, to civilize the rough male society through the import of about 1,650 prostitutes. This hope proved to be not entirely unfounded. As slowly walked around the year 1670, the era of piracy to end here, the islanders new employment opportunities turned to, mainly the timber industry. At the same time, but also started an English pirate, to recruit the pirates of Tortuga and stab them in the lake. The French enlisted the pirates as a powerful force, and so increased their influence in the Caribbean enormously enlarge. The pirates were henceforth equipped with Kaperbriefen and might thus only certain "enemy " ships to attack and loot. However, in practice they continued their pirate craft. This showed that the pirates were never really under control, and Tortuga was their neutral hiding place for their prey. Finally, France and Spain agreed in the Treaty of Regensburg in 1684 on ending piracy and privateering. Many Buccaneers were now in royal service. Those who refused to support the were hunted down and hung by their former comrades. 1688, the piracy was largely overcome here.
1680 a British law was passed which made it illegal to sail under a foreign flag. Thus, letters of marque and mercenaries should be terminated.
Media
- Tortuga is called in the film Pirates of the Caribbean as a pirate island.
- In the wave runner trilogy by Kai Meyer Tortuga plays an important role as a meeting place for pirates.
- In Sharam radio play " hell did you wind " Tortuga is mentioned as a pirate island several times.
- In the movie " Windy City" ( Windy City ) United States 1984 Tortuga is also mentioned - and runs like a coveted goal of all youth dreams through the entire plot.
- Tortuga is also the contact point in the video game " Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag ".
- In the comic book series "The Red Corsair " deals an output ( "Freedom for Tortuga " ) with the island.
Personalities
- Alexandre Olivier Exquemelin, Pirate and author
- Pierre le Grand, pirate
- François l' Ollonais, pirate