Two More DWI’s: Saba and Statia

The last two of the Dutch West Indies (DWI) islands are quaint, beautiful, tranquil…and boring.  We didn’t have enough time to stop in Saba, so please enjoy the “flyby” photos. We had an awesome sail from St. Maarten to Statia, enjoy the video!

Approaching Saba

From our guidebook by Chris Doyle:  “Saba looks like a fairytale picture of a forbidden land.  A mere 5 square miles, it reaches a lofty 3,000 feet.  Houses sit perched in seemingly impossible positions on the edges of precipices.  Ashore, it lives up to its image, for, if there was ever a hidden Shangri-La in the Caribbean, it is Saba.  

Saba flyby

Until the early 1940’s, Saba was almost inaccessible.  Everything had to come and go via Ladder Bay.  This extraordinary landing on the leeward shore provides scant shelter from ocean swells.  Some 800 steps are cut in the rock.  

The Customs house on Saba is half way up the hill.  400 steps done, 400 to go!

The steepness of the steps and their elevation can be appreciated from the sea by looking at the old customs house, which is only half way up.  Boats could only land when the sea was calm and even then men had to stand waist deep in water to handle the cargo.  Everything from the outside had to be carried up, including, at different times, a piano and a bishop.  The Sabans were able to prevent unwanted invasions by keeping piles of boulders stacked behind wooden supports that were cut down when attackers were half way up the hill.”

One interesting tidbit about Statia:  On November 16, 1776, St. Eustatius was the very first nation in the world to recognize the fledgling nation of the United States of America, when the guns of Fort Oranje fired the first naval salute to an American warship, the Andrew Doria.  The Brits weren’t too happy, and took serious vengeance upon Statia in retaliation.  Statia played an important role during the War of Independence as a transshipment point for a good part of the weapons, ammunition and supplies needed by the Americans.

Approaching Statia

The only industry in Statia is a transhipment oil terminal.  The sailors keep the bar at the end of the runway in business. 

Hiking the trail up to town.

Note the sign - 1492 miles to New York. Kevin isn't homesick at all.

Intrigued by the New York city street sign, we knocked on the door and met Stan’s daughter. Stan is a retired New York civil servant.

Some of you may appreciate this sign.  They have to count money everywhere!

The center of town.  The library entrance is on the left.

The road down from town in Statia

Saba glistening in the sunlight

Saba as seen from Statia