Page 541 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles
P. 541
Statia (St. Eustatius)
St. Eustatius is the ‘historic gem’ of the Caribbean. After Chris- perfect geographic location between Europe and America, made
topher Columbus sited the island in 1493, the island changed St. Eustatius one of the busiest ports in the world. Over 3000
hands at least 22 times among the British, French and Dutch. In merchant ships visited St. Eustatius between 1775 and 1800. The
1636, after the 80-year war between the Dutch and Spanish, the tiny island supported over 20,000 people and earned its title, ‘The
Dutch took possession and made St. Eustatius a duty free island Golden Rock’.
in 1756. This free port status, its naturally deep harbor and the
