Problems and Progress in the Caribbean

Abstract

The Caribbean is rich in maritime history (Leshikar-Denton, 1997b; Leshikar-Denton, 1998). Between the 15th and 19th centuries, it was a crossroads of shifting colonial power and waterborne commerce among European nations, particularly Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands. In the Caribbean are hundreds of maritime archaeological sites: prehistoric and historical coastal settlements, forts, lighthouses, shipbuilding sites, ports, and harbors, as well as shipwrecks and contemporary salvage sites. The sites contain remains of ships of exploration and discovery, treasure galleons, slave ships, craft of pirates and privateers, merchantmen, warships, and local vessels.