Named originally by Christopher Columbus in 1492 in dedication to catching a marine turtle for dinner nearby. It came to be known by the later inhabitants as being named Tortuga after its so called turtle profile. During the English occupation it was known as Association Island.
During the time of this rule set, Tortuga had slipped from the prime Pirate haven, to an almost deserted agricultural island with nothing but a history. It is noted here, as some enterprising pirate may seek to ressurect the former havens past glory.
Tortuga is a rather small island, 5km off the north coast of Hispaniola. The island is very rocky, with sparse areas of agricultural land on the southern side, with the remainder covered with large trees growing directly from the rocks. The island has only one entry, via the harbour at Basse Terre. The northern half of the island is lined by tall cliffs, and the majority of the south side lined with reefs, making the island a natural fortress against invasion and surprise.
Indians of the Taino group of the Arawaks had settled the island prior to Spanish occupation. The Spanish attempted small scale settlement, releasing pigs on the island as a ready food source. The native indians were exterminated. Through the 1500's the inhabitants developed an illicit trade with passing foreigners, causing the Spanish authorities to forcably evacuate the northern coast of Hispaniola, including Tortuga, from 1603 to 1605. After this the area became a home for the original boucaniers, who established a trading post on the island.
In 1630 an expedition from Santo Domingo is sent by the Spanish to retake the island. They establish an outpost but the island is taken by the English refugees from Nevis & St Kitts. The English rename the island Association and install Anthony Hilton as governor. He succumbed to fever and was replaced by Wormley. Attempts to cut logwood and grow tobacco fail to hold and the inhabitants engage in piracy vs the Spanish.
In 1635 the Spanish attempt another assault on the island, destroying the settlement and massacring the survivors before departing.
In 1636 the English attempt to resettle the island, but the attempt fails, and the island is seized from them by the French in 1640. The new French Governor Le Vasseur constructs a fort (Fort de la Roche) overlooking the harbour. In 1643 the Spanish attempt to retake the island, but are repulsed. In 1653 they return and lay siege to the island, destroying the settlements and installing a permanent garrison. The garrison is evacuated in 1656 for action against the English elsewhere in the Caribbean. The English attempt to re establish the island, but the French sieze control in 1660 and keep it despite English attempts to recontrol it. They build a new fort near the settlement of Cayonne.
By 1676 the islands control moved across the straight to Port de Paix on Hispaniola, with only sparce settlement remaining behind. Hereafter habitation becomes itinerant.