QUARANTINE BLOG # 145

August 22, 2020

Imagine a tiny group of islands, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, where not a single dwelling stands or inhabitant lives, where the pink beaches are void of footprints, the forests intact.

Such a nirvana did exist, and until the 1500s no human eyes had cast a glance upon her shores.  Bermuda was named after the Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez who never set foot on the island.

On July 28, 1609, a vessel named Sea Venture, having fought a hurricane for three days and three nights, became grounded off the eastern coast of the islands.  Those shipwrecked travelers became, unwillingly, the first European settlers on Bermuda, staying for nearly a year, building two ships, before once again setting sail for their original destination, Jamestown, Virginia.  This incredible adventure ultimately led to the English colonization of Bermuda in 1612.

I will finish the story of the Sea Venture next Saturday.

Bermuda had a particularly dark period which began in 1646, when immigrants from Europe “educated” the local people about witch scares of Europe, and the result was a hysterical witch hunt, which lasted for 46 years.  The more notorious Salem Witch Trials in America last only 15 months.

Ducking stools are often associated with witchcraft Bermuda today, but neither had anything to do with the other.  The use of such rough chairs, pivoted at the end of a see-saw facilitated the submerging of a wretched victim under water “to cool the tongue” amid the delighted jeers of a crowd.

It was a man’s world.  In June 1639 Henry Otwell was charged “for beating and abusing his wife with unsufferable blows and vile speeches.”  He was found guilty and sentenced “to be of good behavior” while she was condemned to be ducked.

Another case, from the same court session, saw William Trewsdall and Joan Carter presented upon a suspicion of wild living without benefit of clergy.  Trewsdall was bound to the good behavior and Joan sentenced to be ducked five times in the sea.

And, at that same session, there was another interesting case.  The offenders names were not listed, but his punishment was to pay for the repairing or reconstruction of the ducking stool on which she was to be ducked.

From 1931 to 1948 Bermuda had train service.  During the 17 years it ran, 14 million passengers were carried, but the company never made a profit.  Faced with an estimated $850,000 on repairs, in 1948 the whole enterprise, including rolling stock and track, was sold to British Guyana.  Cars didn’t arrive in Bermuda until after the Second World War.  Mark Twain, who lived in Bermuda, and claimed the island was “almost heaven,” said the internal combustion engine, would slice through the peace like a snake through paradise.

Bermuda boasts the world’s smallest drawbridge, Somerset Bridge, built in 1620.   When the drawbridge is open, the gap is 18 inches.  Closed, it is covered by a 22 inch wooden plank.  Whenever a yacht wishes to pass beneath the bridge, the captain must wait for a passer-by to assist in opening the drawbridge.

St. George, the capital of Bermuda until 1815 when it was moved to Hamilton City, is home of the Unfinished Church.  Building started in 1874, and almost completed by 1894, curiously the congregation voted to renovate their old building, abandoning their new one.  Storm damage, erosion, a hurricane, and vandalism have left it as it is today, preserved as World Historic Site.

Close by is Fort St. Catherine Beach and Fort St. Catherine where the shipwrecked crew of the Sea Venture came ashore.  The fort, built in 1612, was defended by 5 canons, each weighing 18 tons.  The shells they fired weighed 400 pounds and were capable of penetrating thick iron plate.

Interestingly, in whole of Bermuda’s history, only once was a cannon fire in anger.  In 1614, Spanish captains were under orders to check out the settlement at Bermuda.  Three ships approached Castle Harbor where they were mistaken as British.  When the error was discovered the Governor Richard Moore, manned the guns himself, blasted off two cannonballs which actually missed, but was sufficient to encourage the Spanish to sail on.  Ironically there was only one cannonball left in reserve and in firing the other two, the gunners spilled their only remaining cask of gunpowder.

Let’s wrap this up with some local words and phrases.

Professor Henry Higgins lamented that “There are places where English completely disappears.  Why in America, they haven’t used it in years!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KftTPpWdcCM Bermudians are dismayed that the influence of American TV and movies is changing traditional examples of speech.   Bermudians say “cookies” instead of “biscuits,” “garbage” instead of “rubbish,” and “vacation” instead of “holiday.”  But “soccer” is still known as “football.”

Here are a few local sayings to puzzle over.

“Bermuda Time” means “If it starts at two, then that’s the time to set out.”

“Hot” means drunk. (“Half-hot” means getting there).

“Gribble” means in a bad mood.

“Tank rain” means a good pour-down that will fill your water tank.  The rain pours onto the white roofs and is channeled into drains and underground tanks.  As long as your roof and tank are clean the water is safe to drink.  Other than rainwater and water imported in tanker ships, there is no fresh water in Bermuda.

“Onion” means one who was born Bermudian.  Bermuda was once famous for exporting onions to America, and until a farmer in Texas in 1898 named his farm Bermuda and started selling his own onions as “Bermuda” onions.  By 1920 Texas had passed Bermuda in selling Bermuda onions.  Side note: I remember my Dad taking thick slices of Bermuda onion, at least 1/4 inch thick, putting it between 2 slices of bread that had been spread with mayonnaise, and enjoying an onion sandwich.

Next Saturday we will return to Bermuda with the story Tempest in the Atlantic.

👉   Today’s close is from Dr. Jeff Schreve of “From His Heart Ministries.”

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever”
(Psalms 16:11).

When I was a kid, I remember I hated taking medicine.  It always tasted so terrible.  I endured the medicine so that I could get well.

Did you know that is how some people view the Christian life?  It is definitely not something they really like; it is just a necessary burden and chore.  It is something to must endure, not something you could possibly enjoy.

If you have been guilty of enduring religion instead of enjoying salvation, the time is now to change gears.  The Lord Jesus Christ wants to help you walk in His ways so that you can be blessed and be a blessing to others.  The Christian life is not a penalty, it is a privilege!  It is an unfathomable, totally undeserved privilege to live everyday in the presence and fellowship of the King of the universe.

Life is too short to miss out on the great joy that is available to you and me as we take the hand of Jesus and live life with Him.

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