Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Bermuda: Barr's Bay Park - Hamilton, Bermuda

Barr's Bay Park
Hamilton, Bermuda



N 32° 17.467 W 064° 47.301



Short Description: 

Barr's Bay Park is a site on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail. It is located near downtown Hamilton, Bermuda.



Long Description:

In 1835 a group of 172 slaves from America chose to gained their freedom on the shore of Barr's Bay Park. In 2010 a sculpture was unveiled to commemorate the event. A plaque on the retaining wall between Pitt's Bay Road and Barr's Bay Park has a plaque that describes the event. The plaque is inscribed:


THE BERMUDA DIASPORA HERITAGE TRAIL
{Globe With Bermuda Greatly Enlarged}
BERMUDA

OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED A UNESCO
SLAVE ROUTE PROJECT

Enterprise Landing Site Barr's Bay Park

In 1856 the American brig Enterprise was on its way from Alexandria,
Virginia to Charleston, South Carolina and was driven off course
by a violent storm and had to put into Bermuda for provisions
On board were 78 slaves due to be sold once the vessel
reached its destination.

But slavery was now illegal in Bermuda and the ship in violation of
island laws. the slaves were brought ashore at Barrs Bay Park which is
located in the City of Hamilton and taken before the Chief Magistrate
where they were given the opportunity to stay in Bermuda
and become free or continue with the ship and be sold.
all but one mother and her five children chose
to remain on the island.


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