the unpaved road to Signal Hill
the First Salute would cost Statia dearly
the harbor of Oranjestad
we head for lunch, but the restaurant seems deserted
Zeelandia Beach offers a great view
a resident of Zeelandia Beach heads for some shade
the roads at Statia are not particularly crowded so you can enjoy the nice view
The guns of Fort de Windt, with Saint Kitts in the background
the government building doubles as tourist information center
a typical road in Oranjestad
Sint Eustatius

St Eustatius (Statia) is located close to St Kitts and Saba. With Oranjestad as capital, the island is a special municipality in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In 1636 the Dutch claimed the isle for the West India Company. Since then St Eustatius has changed hands at least twenty two times. 

In the 18th century the economy flourished from the island's status as free port and trade in slaves and contraband.

Statia is known for the "First Salute". In Nov 1776 the  Dutch returned the salute shots from the visiting American brig Andrew Doria, and so became the first nation to recognize the United States. 
The British retaliated under Admiral Rodney, Statia was plundered and the local Jews were treated very harshly. The loot was so big that greedy Rodney was late for the decisive Battle of the Capes that brought the USA its independence.

In 1816 the Dutch regained possession.
 

Statia has no flashy beaches, but Fort Oranje, Fort de Windt and Quill National Park are certainly worth a visit.

We  visited a sleepy Statia in December 2007.

website200053.jpg website200052.jpg website200051.jpg website200050.jpg website200049.jpg website200048.jpg website200047.jpg website200046.jpg website200045.jpg website200044.jpg website200043.jpg website200042.jpg website200007.gif website200040.gif website200039.gif
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
end
website200008.gif website200006.gif
Statia as seen by Google Maps
website200007.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif
after a short flight from Sint Maarten we arrive at the airport
3
website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif
Bay Pass road descends to the harbor
website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif
on our way to nicely restored Fort Oranje
website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif
and that's Saba in the background
website200008.gif website200007.gif website200006.gif
these guns could not stop Admiral Rodney's invasion in 1781
website200005.jpg website200004.jpg website200003.jpg website200002.jpg website200001.gif