A Tale of Two Hurricanes

In 2014 not one, but TWO hurricanes hit Bermuda within the same month. Hurricane Fay arrived first, wreaking damage everywhere, and then came Hurricane Gonzalo, with highest winds of 144 miles per hour.

Bermuda has been in the paths of hurricanes for hundreds of years.

In fact, Bermuda’s history really began when a hurricane drove the Sea Venture onto Bermuda’s rocks in 1609.

But in 2014 this one-two punch was devastating. Historic buildings such as the Commissioner’s House at the Bermuda National Museum.had roofs ripped off. Valuable archives were endangered.

Why is this a blog topic now? Because the Bermuda National Museum, a treasure beyond measure of 400 years of history, needs help to restore the extensive damage.

And why else? Because the America’s Cup is coming to Bermuda in 2017!

Spectators from all over the world will come to watch this world-class sailing competition for the oldest trophy in international sports. It began in 1851, when the schooner America bested Queen Victoria’s royal yacht in a race. The triumphant Americans took home the prize--a cup--and ever since, this race has been called the “America’s Cup”--for the ship, not the place.

In 2017, the waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound will be the race course. A special America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard will be a center for teams and fans alike.

This will be the first time a U.S. holder--Oracle Team, USA--has defended the Cup outside America.

If you want to know more of this history, look online at

www.americascup.com/en/history.html

If you want to help the National Museum of Bermuda rebuild and be shipshape before 2017, email accounts@nmb.bm.