Statia has a rich maritime history dating back to the mid-1700s when it was a vital trading post and free port. The island's strategic location made it a hub for commerce, and its role as a free port helped establish it as a major trading center for merchants from all over the world.
The Dutch, who ruled Statia at the time, saw an opportunity to establish a trading center on the island as European nations had prohibited New World colonies from trading with one another. St. Eustatius' location outside of the jurisdiction of European powers and its status as a free port, where no duties or taxes were imposed, made it a desirable destination for traders. The island quickly became a hub for commerce, where every year, ships carried a variety of goods which included furniture, wine, clothing, ceramics, spices, tobacco, slaves and more, to be sold and exchanged. Exports included wine, crops indigo, cotton, sugarcane, coffee, sugar, molasses and rum and more.
The island's role as a free port and trading center helped to establish it as a significant hub for commerce in the region. Its location made it a vital stopping point for ships traveling to and from the Americas, Europe, and Africa. St. Eustatius' position allowed it to become a hub for the slave trade, which was a significant contributor to the island's economy during the 17th and 18th centuries. Sadly, many of the slaves who were brought to the island were used for labor and traded, making St. Eustatius a hub for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The memory remains with them today in the form of their blue beads which one might find in their oceans while diving, or simply walking along the Lower Town beach areas or simply anywhere around the island. These beads were once used as currency and also given to the slaves when they worked. When slavery was abolished, the beads held by the slaves were thrown from the cliffs into the sea.
Trade continued, however, and the economy flourished until 1795 when the French took control again and ended free trade. The island traded hands among the Dutch, French and British 22 times before the Dutch eventually regained control in 1816 and their control remain.
Today, St. Eustatius is considered an open-air museum as much of its history is visible in the architecture and ruins around the island. Its history is complex and sometimes sad to recount, but its maritime past has helped shape it into the vibrant and unique place it is today.