Page 361 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

Europeans first learned of Aruba follow-
ing the explorations for Spain by Amerigo
Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda in the summer
of 1499. Though Vespucci boasted of discover-
ing the island, Ojeda was likely first, learning of
it from natives of nearby islands. Both de-
scribed Aruba as an “island of giants,” remark-
ing on the comparatively large stature of the
native Caquetíos compared to Europeans. Gold
was not discovered on Aruba for another 300
years. Vespucci returned to Spain with stocks
of cotton and brazilwood from the island and
described houses built into the ocean. Vespucci
and Ojeda’s tales spurred interest in Aruba, and to repopulate Aruba. The Spanish made little
Spaniards soon colonized the island.
Aruba was colonized by Spain for over a
century. Simas, the Cacique or chief in
Aruba, welcomed the first Catholic priests in
Aruba, who gave him a wooden cross as a
gift. In 1508, the Spanish Crown appointed
Alonso de Ojeda as its first Governor of Aruba,
as part of Nueva Andalucía. Another governor
appointed by Spain was Juan Martínez de
Ampiés. A cédula real decreed in November
1525 gave Ampíes, factor of Española, the right
use of the island, finding the climate too arid
for cultivation and discovering little evidence
of the gold they were eagerly searching for. For
the most part, they abandoned Aruba to the
Caiquetios for the next 150 years and devoted
themselves to other more lucrative conquests.
Before long, however, the island became a
clandestine hide-away for pirates and bucca-
neers who preyed on ships transporting treas-
ures back to the Old World. At Bushiribana on
the northeast coast, the ruins of an old pirate
castle still remain standing.