Maryland, Brownsea Island Maryland, Brownsea Island Maryland is a deserted village on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. It was named for the wife of its founder, Colonel William Petrie Waugh. The village was established in the mid-19th century to house workers for a new pottery industry (Branksea Clay & Pottery Company) on the island. The supposed deposit of high quality china clay proved to be unsuitable for porcelain, and the drainage pipes and chimney pots that were produced were not financially viable. The Waughs were forced into bankruptcy. Maryland's people stayed on the island after the closure of the pottery, farming
Piracy off the coast of Venezuela Piracy off the coast of Venezuela Piracy off the coast of Venezuela increased during the crisis in Bolivarian Venezuela. The situation has been compared to piracy off the coast of Somalia, which was also caused by economic collapse. As Venezuelans grow more desperate, fears of increasing incidents and ranges of piracy have been reported. Venezuelan pirates often smuggle weapons, drugs and sex trafficking victims. Authorities have also been involved in piracy as well near the coast of Venezuela. At the end of the 20th century, Venezuela had a successful fishing industry where international business and trade occurred. Following the 1998