Fun Fact: The early 1700's was a golden age for pirates. Many famous pirates, including Sir Frances Drake and Blackbeard, used the Bahama Islands as a hiding place. The numberous islands and islets with their complex shoals and channels provided excellent hideouts. The former pirate Woodes Roger, who became the first Royal Governor, brought law and order to The Bahamas in 1718 when he expelled the buccaneers.