By: Marcia Abramson
I learned that the first known Englishman was stranded in the Bermudas in 1593 to be followed by Sir George Somers in 1609. Sir George was part of the 120 colonists who were heading for the New World Jamestown, Va. settlement on the ill-fated vessel the Sea Venture, the flagship of a large fleet that sailed from Plymouth. Bermuda became an offshoot of the Virginia Company. The shipwrecked settlers overcame unbelievable perils and hardships. Another British ship, the Deliverance, came a year later to take them to their original destination. Many said no thanks. They later prospered by raising tobacco crops for export and were joined by many other British settlers. In 1684 the Island became a British Crown Colony. Bermuda housed the British troops who fought the American Virginians to maintain control of the 13 original American Colonies. The British also sent troops from the Royal Naval Dockyards to fight the Americans in the War of 1812. They did not win the war, fortunately, but they did burn down the White House. A local historian told me that there were looted American artifacts that can be seen in the Bermuda Maritime Museum at the Royal Naval Dockyards. In fact, when Jacqueline Kennedy was refurbishing the White House, she wrote a letter requesting their return. I saw her original letter there, but not the response. I observed that British tradition is alive and well in Bermuda. My first port-of-call was Hamilton, the capital city of Bermuda, where the streets are filled with important looking men clutching brief cases, wearing jackets and ties - and Bermuda shorts. This mode of dress started in the 1900s because of the warm sunny climate compared to Great Britain and became the standard of dress for male Bermudans.There is a law that calls for the proper length of the shorts and that knee-high Bermuda socks and loafers are the prescribed proper accessories. Front Street, a stone's throw from the Seven Seas Navigator's berth in the harbor, has typical British shops with imports of bone china, Irish crystal and fine cashmeres. St. George's, the first capital of Bermuda, is the fifth oldest community in the Northern Hemisphere. It has picturesque and narrow streets and is a source of great pride among Bermudans. Somerset Bridge, the drawbridge connecting the main island to Somerset Island in Sandys (pronounced sands) Parish, is the world's smallest drawbridge.There is a replica of Deliverance II on Ordinance Island which allows visitors to view the austere conditions ocean-going passengers had to endure only a few centuries ago. (A far cry from the luxuries I enjoyed aboard the Radisson Seven Seas Navigator). The reproduction represents the rescue ship that carried willing survivors from the Sea Venture to Virginia in 1610. Our next stop en route back to U.S. shores was the lovely maritime city of Norfolk, Va. Norfolk has a long rich maritime history and is home to one of the United States' largest naval stations. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum at Nauticus pier is an excellent showcase of Southern Virginia's naval history. I also enjoyed excellent displays about the Civil War and World War II and our guide offered a fascinating and informative history lesson. The famous General MacArthur is also remembered with a collection of his personal and military artifacts. There are nine permanent galleries at the museum and a complex devoted to MacArthur at MacArthur Square which houses Norfolk's 1850-era restored City Hall. Norfolk residents are very proud of their famous son who is buried in the city alongside his beloved wife.The historic city also has other interesting attractions, including the Chrysler Museum of Art, established in 1993 by Walter Chrysler, Jr. to house his private holdings You too, can experience modern day six-star Radisson Seven Seas deluxe cruising from New York to Bermuda and Norfolk with sailings on July 2, Aug. 27, Sept. 3, 10 and 17.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson; E-mail: mascribe@aol.com
