Page 8 - BLACK HISTORY IN BERMUDA red

1505-1684

From Discovery to the End

of the Bermuda Company

FIELD TRIP
Portuguese Rock

Visit Portuguese Rock at Spittal
Pond and read letters from early
visitors to the islands. Letters like
Diego Ramirez’s description of
the Bermuda landscape, plants
and animals.

Discuss how the early explorers
travelled and navigated.

Write a diary entry for Venturilla.
Imagine you are the only person
to walk on the island, holding a
lantern and being surrounded by
seabirds. Students can also draw
a sketch of Venturilla.

Discuss how the island’s landscape,
flora and fauna have changed.

Sixteenth century carrack VOCABULARY
• Early world explorers
• Cahow
The First Black Man in Bermuda: • Cedar tree

The Story of Venturilla • Courage
• Carrack
As far as we know, Venturilla was the first black man to set foot on the islands • Adventure
of Bermuda. He was working on a Spanish ship commanded by Diego Ramirez • Exploration
in 1603 when it was shipwrecked on Bermuda. The crew needed wood for repairs
and Ramirez sent Venturilla ashore to cut and bring back wood from a cedar
tree. He rowed alone to the shore where he encountered incredible shrieks from
sea birds, most likely cahows startled by the light of his lantern. Not knowing
where these sounds were coming from he was terrified and was sure that the
island must be full of devils.

8 | black history in bermuda | bermuda national trust