BRITISH Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home feared militant Black Power-inspired radicals might either attempt to assassinate Prince Charles or seize on his presence here as a pretext for widespread rioting when the heir to the throne visited the island to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Bermuda's Parliament in 1970.

Although the Prince's visit went ahead almost entirely without incident - paint-filled eggs were thrown against the walls of City Hall and St. Theresa's Cathedral before his motorcade passed en route to Parliament - a bodyguard of Royal Marines was dispatched to Bermuda to provide additional security while he stayed at Government House.

And a top-secret plan was devised by the British Defence Ministry to fly soldiers here to reinforce police and the Bermuda Regiment in the event the Royal visit triggered a state of emergency. British officials refused to alert Canada to this contingency plan despite the fact troop transports might have had to refuel in Gander, Newfoundland in order to reach the island because of concerns about the "reliability" of the left-of-centre Liberal Pierre Trudeau administration in Ottawa.

The possibility of cancelling Charles' three-day visit from October 20 to 22, 1970, given a backdrop of sustained, politically-motivated violence then convulsing Bermuda, was subject to intense discussions between the Foreign Office and Bermuda's Government House for weeks leading up to the trip.

The Security Liaison Officer attached to the British Embassy in Washington - responsible for the overall co-ordination of UK secret intelligence activities in North America - and an officer from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist Special Branch were flown to the island at the beginning of October.

They spent nine days here and made "extraordinary" advance security arrangements before the all-clear for the Royal visit was finally given by the concerned Foreign Secretary.

In a confidential memorandum prepared for Douglas-Home on the deteriorating Bermuda internal security situation the Foreign Office's West Indian Department determined there could be a risk to the Prince from the paramilitary Black Beret Cadre, a small but active Black Power cell then operating on the island.

"Cancellation would, of course, be a great blow to Bermuda and to the Governor (Lord Martonmere) personally. We clearly must not pre-judge this issue. We should also have to weigh how much impact cancellation might have both on the security situation itself and on race relations in Bermuda against any conceivable risks which (in the light of the pending reports from the Governor, the Scotland Yard man and the Security Liaison Officer) might conceivably be thought to exist . . .

"Clearly, Black Power and such militant manifestations of it as the Black Beret Cadre will not simply go away - especially in a racially divided society like Bermuda - however moderate and sensible the Government's policies may be and however good a public relations machine it may have. And so long as there are militant Black Power Organisations in the colony, then so long can we expect at least occasional outbreaks of violence.

"The immediate question touches not so much on these broad issues but on the more immediate issue as to whether, at the present time, there is any significant risk in relation to the Prince of Wales' visit which ought to be borne in mind in deciding whether or not it should go ahead as planned."

Less than two years after Prince Charles' visit Police Commissioner George Duckett, who was instrumental in preparing security arrangements for the Royal trip, was himself assassinated by Erskine Durrant (Buck) Burrows, an associate of the revolutionary Black Beret Cadre movement.

In March 1973 Governor Sir Richard Sharples and his ADC Captain Hugh Sayers were shot to death in the grounds of Government House - just weeks after escorting Prince Charles around the property when he returned to the island in his capacity as a serving Royal Navy officer aboard a visiting British warship that had put into Bermuda for a port call. Burrows also made detailed written confessions to those slayings.

The violent prelude to Prince Charles' 1970 visit were periodic outbreaks of sustained rioting that had resulted in tens of thousands of dollars' worth of damage to property in Hamilton and a spree of politically-motivated attacks that included the attempted burning of the House of Assembly and the Old State House in St. George's as well as the devastating bombing of Devonshire Church in March that year.

At the beginning of March London had first been alerted to the possibility of an ongoing Black Beret "destabilisation" campaign in a confidential telex sent to the British Ministry of Defence by the commander of HMS Malabar, known by the acronym of his post as the Senior Naval Officer West Indies (SNOWI).

"Youth organisation has in last few days provoked disorders on two school sports fields and achieved sit-down demonstration at Mid Ocean golf club. There was also an arson attempt in the Assembly House. Culprit not yet found but Black Berets have previously threatened to burn this building."

Fearing a renewal of the rioting that had paralysed Bermuda in 1968, the Foreign Office alerted Government House that three frigates were in the vicinity carrying Royal Marines and sailors "trained in anti-riot duties" and could be diverted to the island if required.

The offer was declined.

But a follow-up situation report to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office from Lord Martonmere dispatched on March 25 offered an extremely grim prognosis for the island's short-term internal security prospects, saying the socio-political climate was growing hotter by the day.

"Several disturbing incidents within the past week confirm impression that the Black Beret Cadre is rapidly becoming a serious threat to security. With purely racialist motives, it is challenging authority apparently with the intention of provoking Government reaction and using this as an excuse for violence.

"There is no doubt that the organisation is vastly improved and now has effective leadership and rapidly increasing support among young black people . . . Cadre influence (could) increase possibly beyond control and confrontation now would be less dangerous than later."

Martonmere pointed out that many older black Bermudians were "either ambivalent or openly hostile" to the Black Beret agenda. But the appeal of an organisation advocating Black Power and radical reforms among young people in a largely black island where segregation had been the norm just a decade earlier and some of its manifestations still lingered should not be underestimated -a fact he believed the governing United Bermuda Party had not fully taken on board and therefore was not in a position to effectively counter.

The Berets were one of several militant groups that emerged in the wake of a regional Black Power conference held in Bermuda in 1969 which attracted participants from both the West Indies and North America.

At the time the 1970 troubles began, the Berets were circulating an "incendiary" bi-weekly newsletter entitled Voice of the Revolutionaries, holding public meetings at Victoria Park (informally renamed Malcolm X Memorial Park for the occasions) and members were associated with the visit of a Trinidadian Black Panther charged with leading violent student demonstrations in Canada, a self-described "revolutionist" who gave an interview to The Royal Gazette that Martonmere deemed as "virtually incitement to violence against Canadians here or elsewhere".

As a consequence of the increasingly volatile situation Martonmere reported a stepped-up police presence in Hamilton with the riot squad on "stand-by from today". However, he underscored to London that heavy-handed tactics were being avoided at all costs in dealing with the Black Berets "to avoid provoking disturbances which would almost certainly result from police attempts to arrest".

Nevertheless the Governor anticipated that a confrontation with the Cadre was both unavoidable and imminent.

Four days later a large section of Devonshire Church was reduced to rubble when a crude bomb made from gas cylinders was detonated inside.

"The Devonshire Church, built in 1716 and second oldest in Bermuda, was almost completely destroyed by explosion and fire," Martonmere telegramed to London on March 30. "Greatest damage done by former and deliberate sabotage is certain . . .

"Although action took different form from that anticipated, possibly because of increased police activity and presence of frigate (HMSMohawk, on a pre-arranged port call in Hamilton), this latest occurrence, if proven against Cadre, indicates new phase of bolder, more determined attacks against authority and confirms belief that Cadre is a serious danger to security.

"Further sabotage attempts and confrontation with authority are therefore considered possible."

By April 1, Martonmere confirmed that police had established a Cadre link to the "desecration" at Devonshire Church.

Sporadic outbreaks of violence continued throughout the year but by the beginning of October - just three weeks before Prince Charles was due to visit - the island appeared to be heading towards a rolling boil of unrest again.

There were two ongoing strikes taking place - one at the airport, one against a car dealership - which while well-organised and good-natured ("the picketers are orderly, within legal limits and on coffee-drinking terms with the police," noted Martonmere) - had the potential to be used as potential flash-points by outside agitators.

Then there occured what at the time was described as a "spontaneous combustion of violence" in Hamilton.

"For two hours on October 2 a demonstration occurred outside Hamilton City Hall and later at Central Police Station involving some two to three hundred people," Martonmere cabled to London on October 3.

"Police and private cars were stoned and damaged by thrown bottles and three police officers were slightly injured. The incident began when police arrested three men fighting among themselves and the crowd, including many youngsters some aged no more than ten, turned its spleen upon the police.

"Crowds eventually dispersed at 0300 hours on October 3. Although as a precautionary measure mobile police reserves have been placed at stand-by whole incident is viewed as purely spontaneous occurrence so typical of Bermuda at any time . . . there is nothing to indicate any overall plot by any organisation to create unrest or any connection with the strikes . . . Though there is no immediate cause for alarm the situation is being watched carefully."

Two days later Martonmere's cautious optimism was replaced by anxiety and a note of concern that Bermuda was again on a downward spiral.

"There were five attacks on businesses in Hamilton and two in outlying districts. Three involved arson by thrown incendiaries . . .

"The outbreaks of violence and lawlessness over the weekend and deterioration in industrial relations have created an unsettled climate which rival organisations such as the Black Berets are likely to exploit.

"The situation is highly volatile and could change for the better or the worse very suddenly."

That night Acting Government Leader and future Premier Sir Edward Richards (described by Martonmere en passant as "a formidable individual ... an intellectual and moral juggernaut, a man of the very highest principles") addressed the island on television and delivered a speech that was "equal parts reading the Riot Act, wartime Winston Churchill and Dr. Martin Luther King on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

"During the last two weeks there have been a number of outbreaks of violence, vandalism and arson in many parts of Bermuda," said Sir Edward. " . . . These incidents are purposeless and meaningless - but they are attacks on the whole community and they effect the security of the whole community.

"Let us not make the mistake of thinking that violent activities such as we have experienced are problems for the police alone: they are directed at you and me and the well-being and prosperity of all of us.

"The Government therefore condemns these incidents in the strongest possible terms and wishes to make it quite clear to the perpetrators that neither the Government nor the community will tolerate organised hooliganism - for that is all it is.

"I want now to give a serious warning. All the forces of law and order have been organised to stamp out this evil and bring to justice those responsible. And to these people, whoever they may be, I will say this: Make no mistake - law and order in Bermuda will be maintained. The Government has the powers and the forces of law at its disposal. If these incidents recur, I warn that the consequences for those responsible will be severe indeed."

But the attacks continued unabated.

By October 7 police informants had passed on intelligence to Prospect that the Black Berets were believed to be co-ordinating the violence, although attempts to inflame feelings on the two Bermuda Industrial Union picket lines had apparently "failed miserably" and been warded off by strike organisers ("The feeling among strikers seems to be that they would 'rather have strike pay than Black Panther propaganda'," reads a handwritten annotation on a police intelligence report).

"Hitherto incidents attributed to sporadic, hastily-planned hooliganism: but it is now known that the Black Beret Cadre is directing these attacks (including October 3 riot in Hamilton).

"Members in cars clever enough not to carry incriminating evidence were involved last night and Police Special Branch reports that at suitable opportunity Cadre plans to attack Police operations centre.

"Police have today been placed at Security Stage Amber which means 12-hour shifts and more men on the ground."

Martonmere's fears that the situation was spiralling out of control were not unfounded. After a spree of arson attacks that caused minor damage - including one at the headmaster's office at the Berkeley Institute - the Chesley White department store in Hamilton (where the Washington Mall now stands) went up in flames on the evening of October 8 in a spectacular blaze that at one point threatened to ignite a whole section of Reid Street.

At an emergency meeting of the Executive Council (now Cabinet) held on October 9 as a result of the massive Hamilton arson, it was decided to embody the Police Reserves to support officers and place the Bermuda Regiment on stand-by for possible use.

"Am satisfied that at present time police are able to contain situation with Regiment immediately available to provide reinforcement if necessary," Martonmere cabled the Foreign Office on October 11. "I do not, repeat not, consider it necessary to declare a state of emergency but will of course do so if situation deteriorates. Do not anticipate any serious trouble in daylight hours but resumption of disturbances tonight quite likely and all preparations have been made to use Regiment in support of police and to declare state of emergency if circumstances warrant it."

Isolated firebomb attacks continued over the next few days at various shops and schools around the island, although none was as damaging as the Chesley White blaze.

On October 12, Sir Edward Richards made another strongly-worded statement on the deteriorating internal security situation - and made clear Government would not hesitate to employ the Bermuda Regiment if the violence continued.

"The Government recognises that the objective of those responsible for these acts of uncivilised conduct and wilful destruction of property are to destroy the economy, impoverish the community and disrupt the functioning of Government," said Sir Edward. "They are designed to terrorise and intimidate the public and create a state of anarchy.

"Government is taking all measures necessary and is determined to ensure that these objectives will not be achieved.

"The Bermuda Reserve Constabulary are now on duty and the Bermuda Regiment was embodied at 3.30 a.m. this morning. The police are now able to devote their full time to the maintenance of order and to the apprehension of those responsible for these acts of violence and vandalism.

"The Government calls on all members of the community to co-operate with the police in all measures they take to restore normal conditions. Government takes this opportunity to commend the courageous actions of the Police, the Reserve Constabulary and Fire Brigade in dealing with the recent outbreaks of lawlessness and are confident that all the forces now mobilised will do their duty in the interests of the community."

The same day Sir Edward threw down the gauntlet to those choreographing the violence, the Foreign Office - alarmed by the reports it had been receiving from Bermuda - cabled Government House concerning the Prince of Wales' pending trip.

"We are naturally concerned about deteriorating security situation and Ministers will clearly have to consider in fairly near future whether or not they should advise Her Majesty that Prince of Wales' visit should be cancelled," said Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home in a "secret and personal" telegram to Lord Martonmere.

Douglas-Home said he required interim reports from the Security Liaison Officer and Scotland Yard Special Branch officer who had already been dispatched to Bermuda to assess the situation "as soon as possible".

In an internal Foreign Office memorandum also issued on October 12 the fact that "cancellation of the visit" would have to be considered if the SLO and Scotland Yard officer determined there were "hazards to the Royal visit."

By October 13, after consulting with the SLO and the Special Branch officer, Lord Martonmere cabled London that he believed the visit should go ahead, pointing out that cancellation would probably cause public morale to sag even further in an island that had been under a virtual state of siege in recent weeks.

"Am satisfied there is no threat to His Royal Highness' person and no evidence to connect recent disturbances with the visit. Nor can police unearth any information suggesting an overall plan for the visit.

"Situation is contained for the moment and I therefore further request time to measure the effect of a phased police withdrawal from full-time internal security duties to preparations for HRH visit."

Despite these reassurances and the Foreign Office's tentative inclination to recommend the Royal visit go-ahead, military preparations were made to rapidly deploy British troops to Bermuda if renewed violence broke out while Prince Charles was on the island.

Ottawa was to be kept in the dark about this plan in case the Trudeau administration raised objections to British troops passing through their territory on the way to a colonial flare-up.

"It was agreed that nothing should be said to the Canadians about the possible use of Gander if a contingency plan had to be put into effect, even in military (channels) . . . the Ministry of Defence could talk to their US opposite numbers about the possible use of Kindley Field, provided they emphasised not only that this was entirely hypothetical but also that no (formal) approach of this kind was being made on the diplomatic net(work) . . ."

It was also noted in this internal memo that three British frigates were operating near Bermuda, one, HMSSirius, carrying a platoon of Royal Marines, and could be diverted to the island at short notice in case of emergency.

"Since 2 October Bermuda has experienced continual unrest and lawlessness, with sporadic outbursts of violence in widely separated parts of the island . . .," reads the report, headed "Bermuda Unrest".

"The police have been fired on at least three times (once with an automatic weapon) but there have been no casualties. The Bermuda Government have called up the Reserve Police and embodied the Bermuda Regiment to support the regular police if required. The Governor has not considered it necessary or desirable to declare a State of Emergency or to impose a curfew.

"There is no evidence the disturbances are a planned campaign to force the cancellation of HRH the Prince of Wales on 20 to 22 October.

"For the moment the situation is contained and the Governor is, at present, satisfied that there is no threat to His Royal Highness. But the security situation in Bermuda is liable to fluctuate unpredictably. The (final) recommendations on the Prince of Wales' visit will have to be made in the light of (the Special Branch officer's) final report."

The Special Branch report was guardedly favourable although the Scotland Yard officer and, in separate reports, the SLO and Lord Martonmere all recommended to London that a Royal Marine Guard be stationed at Government House while the Prince was on the island.

"In the light of the encouraging reports from the Governor of Bermuda about the improved security situation there I will be recommending to HM the Queen that the visit to Bermuda should go ahead," said Douglas-Home, signing off on the visit on October 16.

The anger fuelling the flames of violent protest in Bermuda was all but exhausted; in the days leading up to the Prince's visit, Martonmere had very little to report in terms of ongoing criminal activity and instead underscored that he was organising off-the-record, face-to-face meetings with leading members of various youth groups.

While Opposition Progressive Labour Party Members of Parliament boycotted activities associated with the Prince's visit in keeping with its pro-Independence stance, Martonmere was informed a day prior to the public announcement by Opposition Leader Lois Browne Evans.

"She was very courteous and cordial and the (boycott) decision was entirely predictable," noted Martonmere.

The Prince's visit to Bermuda, while purposefully kept low-key, nevertheless attracted large and enthusiastic crowds and passed off almost entirely free of incidents.

"Only incident was defacing of outer walls at City Hall and Roman Catholic Cathedral by red paint probably contained in recharged eggshells," Martonmere cabled London on the second day of the Prince's visit.

"Otherwise there have been no other incidents. Police report no evidence of acts of lawlessness being planned and whilst there can be no guarantees of further incidents occuring, security situation gives no more cause for concern than it did on October 16 when recommendation to proceed with Royal visit was made.

"Police assisted by Royal Marines, Naval helicopter and hand-picked men of Bermuda Regiment are maintaining strict but unobtrusive security measures and everywhere so far HRH has been given warm welcome."

The Prince departed for London as scheduled on October 22 without further so much as another egg being tossed in the direction of HRH's person.