Which island became the main base of Nassau’s pirate community in the Bahamas?

New Providence became the main island base of Nassau’s pirate community in the Bahamas.

Nassau lies on New Providence, an island whose protected harbor and weak colonial administration made it attractive to pirates after the War of the Spanish Succession. Many privateers lost their commissions when the war ended in 1713 and continued attacking ships as pirates.

During the early eighteenth century, pirates used Nassau as a gathering place, repair base, and market. Figures associated with the community included Benjamin Hornigold, Charles Vane, Calico Jack Rackham, and Edward Teach.

The island’s pirate era declined after Woodes Rogers arrived as royal governor in 1718 and offered pardons to pirates who surrendered. New Providence is sometimes confused with Grand Bahama because both are major Bahamian islands, but Nassau itself is located on New Providence.