Acklins and Crooked Islands

[2][3] The islands were settled by American Loyalists in the late 1780s who set cotton plantations employing over 1,000 slaves.

After the abolition of slavery in the British Empire these became uneconomical, and the replacement income from sponge diving has now dwindled as well.

The main town in the group is Colonel Hill on Crooked Island.

It was engaged in the sponge and salt industries and also served as a transfer port for stevedores seeking work on passing ships.

The population of Acklins was 428, and Crooked Island 350, at the 2000 census.