|
|
|||
|
|
Anguilla is a low island surrounded by spectacular white sand beaches and banks of coral. It has a wonderful sense of peace and the people are outstandingly friendly and honest. The 7 thousand people who live there rely on tourism as the major industry. In 1967 Britain lumped Anguilla with St. Kitts and Nevis and made them an autonomous state. This awkward parceling conveniently filed them away for the British Colonial Office, but ignored both social and geographical realities. Anguillans were dead-set against this arrangement and wanted to remain with England. They rebelled against the rule of St. Kitts’ premiere Bradshaw who told them he "would show them who was boss" and threatened to "turn Anguilla into a desert." An amazing armed rebellion followed in which there were only minor casualties and no fatalities. The Anguillan rebels would open fire on the police station (manned from St. Kitts) at all hours of the night or day until the police were quite unnerved. A large armed crowd then gave the police an ultimatum to leave the island and they blocked the runway to stop reinforcements arriving. The Anguillans, fearing an armed invasion from St. Kitts, decided to take the offensive and invade St. Kitts themselves. A small boatload of men went there, aided by two American mercenaries. The invasion was a complete fiasco. A big hole got blown in the ground near the defense force headquarters and there was a shoot-out at a police station. There were no casualties. However, after that no one in St. Kitts really wanted to mess with the Anguillans. Several Americans thought up fancy schemes to help the Anguillans finance their island, and in 1969 Britain, under the mistaken impression the island had been taken over by the Mafia, invaded. Armed men waded ashore onto the beaches to be met by goats and curious small boys. After the embarrassment died down, Anguillans got what they wanted and were again administered by the British. Road Bay, the main anchorage in Anguilla, is a charming village set on a lovely beach. The sail to and from St. Martin is usually a pleasant haul over turquoise water. From Road Bay you can visit other anchorages along Anguilla’s south and north coasts, as well as making day stops offshore at Sandy Island, Dog Island and Prickly Pear Cays. The waters all around Anguilla are part of a national park protected by law. Spearfishing and the collecting of coral or live shells is strictly forbidden. You must also be careful not to damage coral when you anchor.
click chart to enlarge
|
Anguilla
