Video Parts (2)
This clip is Part 1 of a 2-part film.
The Bahama Islands Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The Bahamas are a group of tropical islands and reefs covering a distance of almost 600 miles, in crescent formation from the north coast of Santo Domingo to the east coast of Florida.” Map of Bahama Islands, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. “Being so situated the Bahamas must look seaward for a good share of their living necessities. Hundreds of ships convert these waters into commercial highways and their harbors into scenes of great activity.” View of harbor, ships at dock, buildings on shore. “But let’s hoist sail at Nassau, the capital and great winter resort, and take our course for Kingston, Jamaica, gathering on the way some ideas of what Columbus had to contend with amid this wonderful group of submerged mountain ranges.” Sailors on deck of schooner preparing to sail - view of harbor, ships, shoreline. “Many a thrilling tale may be told of blood thirsty pirate deeds -- for not so long ago these waters were darkened with their crimes.” Men and a boy on cluttered deck of schooner - water, clouds. “Ships are passed laden with their cargos of bananas, cocoa, sponges, etc., on their way to some distant port.” Passing freighter seen from deck of boat. “The temptation is great when it comes to taking the risk of sailing through one of these three navigable channels and often on board ship may be found something besides the regular cargo.” Negro boy stowing away under pile of large rope on deck of ship, officer checking ship, discovering boy - close-up of boy. “But it’s a $2000 fine for the captain to allow the stowaway to land in the United States.” Officer kicking boy off deck - sky - view of water from deck of ship under way, boy sitting in lifeboat on deck. “Arriving at Matthewtown, Inagua, B.I. a salt center.” People on deck of ship - passenger climbing overboard to waiting boat in water - car driving by piles of salt. “Fishermen there will be as long as fish are willing to be caught.” Fishermen pulling boat out of water - unloading fish from bottom of boat - close-up of fish on ground. “Unloading log wood to be used in the manufacture of black dye. This wood is too heavy to float.” Workers throwing logs from boat onto beach, others carrying them away - close-up of bearded white roan with pipe - ocean - sailors playing around on deck of schooner, sail, water splashing over deck - sailor drinking from barrel on deck. “When Columbus landed upon these islands some 400 years ago they were thickly peopled with Indians. Nearing the coast of Jamaica.” Ocean, sky, land in distance. “Port Royal.” View of port - men rowing ashore in boat bearing British flag - men climbing aboard boat - boat getting under way. “Its matchless beauty has been heralded around the world. The famous Harbor of Kingston, Jamaica.” Deck of ship, men furling sails - harbor, boats - schooner at anchor. “The End.” [1921]
Read more