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Stories and Legends

Bahía de Correos

No other island has as many stories and legends attached to it as Floreana . Its first occupant in the 18th century was un unruly, drunken Irishman who was abandoned on the “Bahía de Correos” (Post Office Bay) by his exasperated captain who had tired of his constant fighting with other crew members. Patrick Watkins somehow survived by grow ing vegetables and fruit which he traded for abundant supplies of rum when whalers – frequent visitors in those days – dropped anchor in the bay. Suddenly, one day, he was nowhere to be seen. The most probable explanation is that he encouraged a crew of visiting sailors to get drunk and then robbed them of their boat, taking captive some of the men. Heading off towards the continental mainland, it is thought he either landed on the northern coast of Peru or was thrown overboard by his travelling companions .

La Baronesa

Perhaps the Islands ' most well-known story dates back to the first decades of the 20th century when the famous drama of “ The Baroness ” unfolded. Within the space of a few years, three groups of people arrived at the uninhabited island. The first arrivals were a German couple – a flamboyant dentist and his wife – who installed themselves as owners of the island. Next came a humble family, also German, comprising father, mother and a young daughter who had been advised to live on the island for health reasons. The family also wished to escape the upheavals taking place in Europe between the two world wars . The final group to arrive was headed by an extravagant “baroness” of Austrian origin, accompanied by her two lovers. This was the starting point of a long history of intrigue, rivalry and mysterious disappearances that has been the subject of many books, articles and even a film .