Page 24 - AHATA
P. 24
Wednesday 7 May 2025 locAl
A10
“Fort Zoutman in an Imperial Tug-of-War” Episode CCCII - 302
The narrative shared through Etnia Nativa, which
means native ethnicity, emphasizes the importance
of reclaiming and recognizing the island’s cultural
roots and heritage, which have often been overshad-
owed by colonial history. The entity actively engages
in promoting the value of rediscovering native tradi-
tions, history and identities, while highlighting the im-
portance of moving beyond colonial influences or
submissive behavior.
In this episode, we explore the turmoil and shifting
power dynamics in Aruba under the imperial shad-
ow. In the early 19th century, the island was on high
alert—privateering, foreign schooners, and geopoliti-
cal tensions stirred a relentless struggle for sovereignty,
all framed by the symbolic presence of Fort Zoutman.
In 1803, as a new war loomed on the horizon, the in-
habitants of Aruba waited in anxious anticipation.
Among them was Captain Jean Puget, a Frenchman
and longtime resident of the island, who soon found
himself at the center of a tense maritime incident in-
volving the British or English as they were known.
While sailing under the French flag, Puget was con-
fronted by an English vessel. When he refused to low-
er his ship’s colors after a musket shot, a cannon was was sailing under French colors. The English exercised full control. They
fired, ending the standoff. Puget was forced to sur- The schooner remained detained un- landed men ashore and ordered the
render, and his schooner was seized and declared a til a verdict could be delivered by the local commander to raise the Union
prize of war. French judges. Meanwhile, letters of Jack. In many cases, the Aruban com-
marque were issued, and all sailors mander was not even removed from
Puget, however, protested what he considered were summoned to report for service his post. After a few days, once the
an act of piracy. He defended his actions on three against the English. English had departed, the Dutch flag
grounds: he held valid Dutch registration papers; he was simply raised again.
was sailing on behalf of Curaçao merchants Cancrijn One might wonder whether the Dutch Although the people of Aruba did not
and Jutting; and he had departed Curaçao under warships stationed in Curaçao could display any warlike zeal, Fort Zoutman
the Dutch flag, having lived in Aruba for six years. have been deployed to secure the was manned with a garrison and ar-
waters around the islands. However, mament that Curaçao deemed ade-
The schooner was sent to Curaçao, where the dispute it must be remembered that such pa- quate for the island’s defense. In 1804,
was to be resolved, and was brought into port flying trols would not only have encountered a notice from the Council of Curaçao
the English flag. After a thorough review, the local privateering schooners but also enemy made it clear that, should the enemy
council declared it unqualified to make a ruling and frigates—vessels the Dutch ships were approach, the island was to immedi-
referred both parties to the French administration in ill-equipped to confront. ately deploy the four air rifles stationed
Saint-Domingue. Their reasoning was as follows: Puget at Fort Zoutman to deter them. This fort
was a French subject; he held valid French registra- This reality was confirmed months used to lie on the water’s edge. Today
tion certificates (the Dutch papers recently acquired before, by the voyage of the Dutch it stands over 1000feet on land.q
in Curaçao were merely precautionary); and at the schooner De Vliegende Visch (Fly-
time L’Espérance (his schooner) was confiscated, it ing Fish). Upon arriving in Aruba, the If you enjoyed reading our stories and
crew learned that the English fleet had are interested in learning more regard-
reached the island. At the time, the is- ing the true identity of the island, we
land was blockaded by sea and be- recommend you to book a visit to Etnia
sieged by land. Though the schooner Nativa—the only “living museum of its
attempted to dock, it was ultimately kind in the Caribbean”—a fascinating
forced to divert to Maracaibo. choice, a trend-setter since 1994 and
Regarding the appointment of Aruban co-founder of Islands National Park,
commanders, unusual events unfolded Archaeological Museum Aruba and
during this period. Commanders were Artisan Foundation among others. Et-
dismissed by the Curaçao administra- nia Nativa shares valuable knowledge
tion and reappointed by English pri- and connects you to the ancient is-
vateers—or the reverse. Some English land’s spirit and soul.
names from this time have been pre-
served. WhatsApp 297 592 2702
or etnianativa03@gmail.com
