Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The correct answer is significant because the ships Whitby and Hesperus were indeed used to transport the first group of Indian indentured laborers to the Caribbean, specifically to British Guiana in 1838. This marked a pivotal moment in Caribbean history, as it initiated the process of bringing Indian workers to the region following the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.

Understanding the role of these ships and the specific historical context is crucial because it underscores the shift in labor sources in the Caribbean post-emancipation, as planters sought new labor to sustain the sugar industry. This migration had profound socio-economic implications for the Caribbean, influencing demographics, culture, and the economy.

The other options reflect names that do not connect to the specific historical event of the Indian immigration to the Caribbean, demonstrating the significance of Whitby and Hesperus in the region's labor history.