Pieces of Eight

St. Lucia

Although discovered by Spain around 1500, St. Lucia remained in the hands of its Indian natives for almost a century.

The Dutch were the first Europeans to gain a foothold on the island, in 1600, though in 1605 the crew of a shipwrecked English vessel began a small, and ill-fated colony that lasted a little over a month. Disease and Indian hostility forced the English to abandon their small foothold.

Despite the Dutch presence, France laid claim to the island in 1635, but their attempts to colonize the island were thwarted by the English, who arrived a few years later. In a repeat of earlier history, the English were, in turn, expelled by the natives.

The French moved in two decades later but only held the island for a few years before the English returned in force. Again, British hopes were short-lived, and before long over 900 colonists had died from disease.

Neither side could secure a strong grip on St. Lucia, and so it became a bargaining chip in political treaties.

At present, the island is claimed by the English, though no European settlers live there. With the growth of the sugar industry, both nations are again turning their gaze to St. Lucia.