During the 318 years since the town's founding, Bristolhas endured a number of severe natural disasters and otherdevastating trials, only to triumph in the end. At firstbombed, raided, and burned by the British, in later yearsBristol saw the collapse of her banks and the painful demiseof local industry. In addition, disastrous storms have poundedher shores, at one time destroying the town's commercialfleet. Through all this, however, Bristol has endured, atestament to the tenacity of the town's colorful citizens.From adventurous privateers and wealthy industrialists tohardy fisherman and skilled laborers, members of the Bristolcommunity have struggled and succeeded together.