Page 16 - AHATA

Tuesday 24 June 2025 LOCAL
A10

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in lice precinct and jail, and
the middle of downtown even experienced aban-
Oranjestad, situated right donment until the Cultural
next to the government Center Aruba Foundation
building “Cocolishi”, is one (CCA) petitioned for its
of the oldest buildings of renovation in 1964, turning
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First the site into the Historic Mu-
constructed in 1796, this seum it currently is.
site has been used (or left Despite its small size, The
unused) in many ways and Historic Museum guards a
have survived eras of war rich depository of the com-
and attempted disman- mercial, military and social
tling. history of Oranjestad, offer-
ing a glance into how the
When anyone refers to Fort social culture of the town
Zoutman, they are actu- came to be. If you are in-
ally referring to two sepa- terested in history and want
rate buildings that, over the to learn more about Aruba,
years, have been merged: of The Netherlands, Willem Paardenbaai from pirates (The Netherlands was at then Fort Zoutman should
the fort and the tower. III. Willem III Toren was origi- and other disreputable constant war with England definitely be included into
That’s right, the iconic nally a light tower, but after characters roaming the back in the colonial era). your itinerary.
5-story, squared tower was a request from Lieutenant Caribbean Sea. Unlike the Over the years, both the fort The museum is open Mon-
not part of the original Governor Jan Helenus in Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- and the tower had func- day to Friday from 9am-
structure of the fort, and 1866, it also became a bell man had a more tumul- tioned as different govern- 6pm, and Saturday from
is actually called “Willem tower. tuous past, including the ment center points, includ- 10am-2pm.
III Toren”. Constructed in The fort itself was originally on-and-off reception of ing a tax and stamps office. Source: The Old Fort of Aru-
1867, this tower was named constructed to protect unwanted members of the For some time these two ba by Jan Hartog.
after the then-reigning king the commerce bay of English military several times buildings also housed a po-
Up for a snorkeling adventure in Aruba?

Top 3 shipwrecks to explore

(ORANJESTAD) - Aruba is opening her seacock and The remaining part stayed underwater. Jane’s story is covered several tons of co-
not only the perfect vaca- setting her ablaze. in Aruba and was used as heavily speculated, mak- caine. The ship was confis-
tion destination to sit back target practice. Eventually, ing her origin a tale of leg- cated and petitioned went
and relax on the sandy Eventually, the crew was ar- the ship became a snorkel- ends. out for her owner to claim
beaches but also has great rested, but SS Antilla could ing site that has attracted her. However, several years
snorkeling spots for pas- not be saved by the Dutch many visitors throughout Launched in 1959, the 190- went by and no one came
sionate adventurers to ex- forces. The Dutch fired two the years. feet ship was initially called forward to claim the ship,
plore. On the coast of the rounds of their 35mm gun “Blackthorn”. Her last so dive operators decided
island, there are various aboard the ‘Aruba’ at SS Pedernales lies on the owner, S&D Shipping Ltd. to sink her as an artificial
shipwrecks that have be- Antilla and left her to sink. north-west coast of Aruba, named her Jane Sea. Jane reef. This happened in 1988.
come fan-favorites over and is no more than 10 feet was a cement freighter Jane Sea earned the nick
the years. Here are the top The shipwreck can only be under water, making it an between Venezuela and name Jane C, because of
3 shipwrecks you should reached by boat. The ship ideal site for snorkelers and Aruba. the illicit white powder dis-
explore. is visible from the surface divers of all levels. covered on board.
and during your snorkeling The story goes that the
SS Antilla trip you’ll be surrounded by Jane Sea Wreck Jane Sea arrived one day Jane is now beautifully
Dubbed “The Ghost Ship”, hundreds of tropical fishes, The Jane Sea Wreck lies at the Barcadera Harbor, overgrown with coral and
SS Antilla is the biggest and but the shipwreck alone is near Palm Island at 100 feet where Aruban customs dis- is home to a diverse set of
most visited shipwreck site already impressive enough. marine life, like turtles, octo-
off the coast of the island. pus, crabs and sometimes
Located in Malmok, this SS Pedernales even nurse sharks.
400-foot ship’s story is one Like the Antilla, the story
of capture and sabotage of SS Pedernales dates to The stories behind these
during WWII. WWII. Pedernales was used shipwrecks enriches their
as a lake tanker between exploration and offers snor-
After Germany invaded Venezuela and Aruba, and kelers and divers a glance
The Netherlands, Dutch sailed under British Flag. At into the past, as well as the
authorities ordered the this time, The US and Britain beautiful marine life that
confinement of the ship’s were using Aruba and Cu- have molded these wrecks
German crew, who were racao as fuel stations for into their home. So, grab
ported in Aruba because the war ships. your equipment and dis-
it needed to find a neutral cover another side of what
port. The Dutch ordered Under operation Neuland Aruba has to offer!
the ship to be confiscated, (disruption of British and
but the German crew had American oil sources), Ger- We highly recommend you
other plans. Taking advan- many fleets bombed Ped- embark on your adventure
tage of a delay caused ernales. The ship was later with the guide of a profes-
by an anticipated armed cut into three sections, two sional and be sure to take
resistance, the Germans of which were taken to of yourself and Aruba’s
started scuttling the ship, the US for reconstruction. precious nature.