Minehead and the west Indies

Minehead’s trade with the West Indies was established by the early 17th century and could be very lucrative. Merchants and sailors were not deterred by the distance and the length of time before cargoes and ships returned to port.

Not all the links with the West Indies were positive. Men were transported following the Monmouth rebellion, ships were seized by pirates who lurked in the islands and by the 18th century many local landowners had established plantations in the islands with slave labour.