History of Saba

In ‘History of Saba’, historian J. Hartog provides a comprehensive overview of the rich and complex history of the island of Saba, the smallest of the former Netherlands Antilles. The book traces the island’s development from pre-colonial times to the twentieth century, focusing on the role of colonial powers, economic and social structures, and the resilient culture of the Sabans. Drawing on detailed archival sources, travel accounts, and local traditions, Hartog brings to life the unique identity of Saba. The book was originally published in 1975 and reprinted in 1982.

Contents

1. Indians dwelt on four sites ….. 5
2. Sighted by Columbus ….. 12
3. Mentioned for the first time in 1595 ….. 15
4. The English language supersedes the Zeeland dialect ….. 20
5. No foreign privateering along the coast ….. 23
6. Prosperous Saba ….. 28
7. Saba as a dependency of St. Maarten ….. 34
8. Life in the 19th century ….. 37
9. What title is given the man who governs Saba? ….. 45
10. Town of Leverock ….. 47
11. The Sabans’ occupations, past and present ….. 56
12. Navigation school ….. 74
13. Saba’s chronology ….. 75
14. Saba’s three churches ….. 82
15. Education and culture ….. 90
16. Consequencies of the oil industry in Aruba and Curaçao ….. 93
17. The first motor vehicle ….. 99
18. Isolation broken ….. 104
19. Social changes ….. 114
20. Political development ….. 120
21. Saba today ….. 124
Some well known Sabans ….. 131
Map of Saba ….. 132
Song of Saba ….. 133
Postage stamps with views from Saba ….. 134
Appendix: Little Saba and Hassel Island ….. 136
Acknowledgements ….. 138
Contents ….. 139