Did the Spanish touch here for water?

Jolly Mon

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From Gascoigne.webp
entrance to Calibogue Sound, 1776.webp

This chart is from Gascoigne, circa 1776

My question pertains to two place names listed on the chart: Spanish Wells and Callibogy Pointe.

This chart corresponds to the modern Calibogue Sound, between Savannah, GA and Hilton Head Island, SC.

My theory is that early Spanish captains may have touched at Spanish Wells for water...perhaps frequently and perhaps for many years. The entrance to the sound looks entirely passable for most ships of the era. The sound is also off the beaten track somewhat...it may have been a good place to avoid the prying eyes of the English...especially before the 18th century.

Does anyone have an idea of the etymology of the place name "Callibogy" ? or Calibogue?
I have read that in archaic Spanish it may mean "a body of water that one must row across".
I have also read that it is an indian word meaning "fresh water".
 

Last edited:
All I can find is this:
"Origin of name – named for sweet water springs or wells found here which were used by the Spaniards for ships sailing between Florida and Virginia."
that was lifted from this source:
Spanish Wells Plantation Heritage Library Foundation
 

Entirely possible. Similarly, the island of St. George's Cay in the Bahamas was used as a last stop for Spanish ships returning to Europe, where these ships refilled their water supply from wells created for this purpose - thus the English name of the settlement: Spanish Wells.
Don....
 

Thanks for the replies. Incidentally, I don't think treasure fleet ships would have watered there, but it would have made a nice, snug harbor for the Spanish Guarda Costa and, perhaps, other "gentlemen of fortune".
 

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