During the 318 years since the town's founding, Bristol<br><br>has endured a number of severe natural disasters and other<br><br>devastating trials, only to triumph in the end. At first<br><br>bombed, raided, and burned by the British, in later years<br><br>Bristol saw the collapse of her banks and the painful demise<br><br>of local industry. In addition, disastrous storms have pounded<br><br>her shores, at one time destroying the town's commercial<br><br>fleet. Through all this, however, Bristol has endured, a<br><br>testament to the tenacity of the town's colorful citizens.<br><br>From adventurous privateers and wealthy industrialists to<br><br>hardy fisherman and skilled laborers, members of the Bristol<br><br>community have struggled and succeeded together.