What event in 1942 had a significant impact on the maritime history of the Cayman Islands?

The torpedoing of the Alister in 1942 marked a significant event in the maritime history of the Cayman Islands. This incident involved the sinking of the cargo ship Alister by a German U-boat off the coast of Grand Cayman during World War II. The attack underscored the strategic importance of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, particularly as a shipping lane for supplies and communication during the war.

This event had lasting ramifications for local fishing and maritime activities, as it highlighted the risks of maritime transport during wartime and altered how residents perceived safety and security at sea. The immediate effects included heightened awareness of potential threats from the war, ultimately leading to increased vigilance in protecting the maritime interests of the islands.

In contrast, while the Great Storm of 1942 was a significant meteorological event, it did not have the same direct implications for maritime warfare or shipping security as the Alister incident. Independence from Britain and the discovery of the islands occurred much earlier in history and are more focused on governance and settlement rather than maritime history per se.