​Nearly 400 years ago,in the 17th century, the Caribbean islands became the home of many buccaneers. They were a mixed group of mostly English,French and Dutch men and women. Many of them were shipwrecked and marooned off the coast of of Hispaniola. They hunted wild boar and cattle, and learn't from the Carib people how to cure meat. Curing is a way of preserving meat with salt and spices so that it does not go bad in a hot climate

The meat was spread with strips over a wood grate or boucan. This was placed near a slow-burning fire. The heat dried the meat to a fine red color. It had a delicious taste. The sailors saw the meat ( which was also called boucan) to ships that passed by. This is why they were called Buccaneers. Later the Buccaneers were chased off hispaniola by the Spaniards. They took to sea and lived by capturing spanish ships. Later became known as pirates.

​ over the next hundred years there were many Pirates in the Caribbean James Johnson was a cabin boy who l, who was out knowing at the time joined a pirate ship on New Providence.