Bequia
Encyclopedia
Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines
. It is part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
, and is approximately 15 km from the nation's capital, Kingstown
.
The island capital is Port Elizabeth
13°00′N 61°16′W. Other villages on the island are Paget Farm, Lower Bay, La Pompe, Hamilton, Mount Pleasant and Belmont.
The total population is about 4,300, the native population being primarily a mixture of people of African, Scottish
and Carib Indian descent. A substantial number of white Barbadians were also sent as settlers to Bequia in the 1860s. A number of them built homes in the Mount Pleasant area where many of their descendants still live today. The island is very small, measuring some 7 square miles (18.1 km²). The main population areas are Port Elizabeth and Paget Farm which host the Ferry Terminal and Airport respectively.
Other prominent areas of Bequia include Spring, site of a former coconut plantation and home to agricultural animals, Industry Bay , Lower Bay and Park Bay,The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is located here.
Princess Margaret, who had a home on nearby Mustique
, visited Bequia and had a beach named in her honour. Princess Margaret Beach is next to Port Elizabeth and is situated inside Admiralty Bay.
Bequia means "island of the clouds" in the ancient Arawak
. The island's name was also 'Becouya' as part of the Granadilles.
The islands' unofficial anthem is considered to be 'Only in Bequia,' by island native Raphael "Socony" Holder.
The island's hills are much lower than the peaks of St. Vincent, 10 miles (16.1 km) to the north, so they do not receive as many rain showers.
The main port Admiralty Bay, a large natural harbour, and the "town" Port Elizabeth are situated on the west coast.
yacht
s, expats and vacationers. One of the busiest times of the year being the annual Easter Regatta.
Two Scuba diving stores run dive trips to twenty-eight identified dive sites around Bequia. There are several wrecks and shallow caves accessible to advanced divers. It is not unusual to see Hawksbill turtle
s, lobsters, moray eels and many kinds of fish when diving Bequia.
which bought an end to the War of Spanish Succession and established peace between the Spanish and British empires, Great Britain obtained the lucrative monopoly over the Aciento slave trade. Runaway and shipwrecked slaves inhabited the island of St. Vincent in the 17th century and according to an early account of the French Antilles, to which Bequia was considered as being part of Grenada
, Bequia was too inaccessible to colonize and Caribs or Arawaks used the island for fishing and some cultivation. A few Portuguese and Dutch slave ships on route to Sint Eustatius from West Africa reportedly shipwrecked on the Grenadines reefs.
Bequia was under French control in the 18th century and during the Seven Years War with England the island was used by the fleets of their allies, the Spanish and Dutch, to take on supplies, while those of British were banned. The Treaty of Paris (1763)
produced a significant re-alignment in the map of the Caribbean. St. Vincent and the Grenadine islands, including Grenada, were ceded to the Britain in exchange for Guadeloupe
, Martinique
and St. Lucia. Petit Martinique's name derives from this era, and so does Petit Saint Vincent
. In 1779 the French seized the island, despite the Treaty of Paris, but were forced to relinquish control to Britain the soon after. The early 18th century saw the development of a sugar industry and related products including molasses and rum. Other major products included coffee, indigo and arrowroot. At one point in time, the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
were the single largest producer of arrowroot starch
in the world. Presently Hairoun and Vincy strong rum are major export products primarily to the European Union.
James Hamilton, father of Alexander Hamilton
moved to Bequia from St. Croix, where he had raised Alexander as his son, in 1774 under a program instituted by Britain to give land to indigent settlers. The land granted to Hamilton lies along the shore of Southeast Bay. The elder Hamilton lived in Bequia until 1790 but was never visited by his son nor did he visit Alexander in America, despite the latter's frequent gifts of money and entreaties to immigrate or at least visit him.
It is held by some historians that the famous Captain Edward Teach had his base in Bequia. The opening shot of the movie Blackbeard
, Pirate of the Caribbean, made by the BBC actually displays a replica of his first ship off the coast of Bequia in the St. Vincent passage. According to local legend, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was not only Capt. Edward Teach's base, but also Sir Francis Drake's from where he planned his attacks on the Spanish admiralty in Don Blas de Lezo's Cartagena. John Hawkins
It is also thought that Henry Morgan
may also have anchored in Admiralty Bay as it was also at that time the safest natural harbour in the Eastern Caribbean in which to seek refuge from hurricanes. Also of interest is the fact that Bequia was used as a repair facility for ships. Besides Nelson's Dockyard
on Antigua
and the carlyle in Bridgetown, Barbados, there were no docks or shipyards in the area. Wooden shipbuilding and shiprepair on Bequia was possible due to the presence of Cedar trees on the island and emphasizes the natural bond with the sea and international trade as a whole.
. Natives of Bequia are allowed to catch up to 4 Humpback Whales per year using only traditional hunting methods of hand thrown harpoons in small open sailing boats. Though they rarely catch their limit and some years do not catch any.
A feature of the Port Elizabeth waterfront is the Whale Boner Bar & Restaurant. This bar has an entrance onto the beach consisting of an arch of two whale ribs as well as whale vertebrae mounted on the bar seats and a whale rib running the length of the bar.
Bequia has a long tradition of whaling as well as the building of whaling boats. There is a small whaling museum on the island which chronicles this history.
. There are three ferries operational between the capital Kingstown and Port Elizabeth.
The other islands in the Grenadines can be reached by the last operational schooner in the Caribbean, the antique original Bequia build 'SS Friendship Rose', with its base at Port Elizabeth. The 'Friendship Rose' is often used by the local Bequia football (soccer) teams to sail to the other islands for their competitions. Picnics on board are renowned locally and day/overnight charters are still conducted with her.
More ideal for hitchhikers, backpackers and travelers is the Grenadines mail boat that enters Port Elizabeth on an irregular basis. Boarding is sometimes a bit of a hassle as the vessel remains in deeper waters whilst the passengers must jump on/off board using a small craft to land on the beach. Nevertheless it is a must see and do experience for those looking for real adventure.
An international inter-island ferry service (operated by the Windward Lines) passes Bequia also on a regular basis. This ferry carries besides local freight also local passengers from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, via Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and other islands in the Eastern Caribbean to Port Elizabeth. Very friendly service and excellent local restaurant is on board.
A convenient and enjoyable way to travel to Bequia is by local ferry departing daily from the main port in Kingstown, St. Vincent to Port Elizabeth in Bequia. The ferry pier is located 15 minutes away from E.T Joshua Airport and is served by two companies, Bequia Express and Admiralty Transport. Bequia Express is a family owned ferry that is 148 feet (45.1 m) long with a cargo space measuring 148 x 30 feet (9.1 m) of which 100 x 30 feet (9.1 m) is sheltered with a 14 feet (4.3 m) ceiling. The approximate capacity of the ship is 28 cars or 10 - 20’ containers and is licensed for 400 passengers. The Admiral II is a similarly sized vessel with a capacity for 250 passengers. Travelers on the Admiral II have a choice between air-conditioned indoor seating or covered outdoor seating. The passage between Kingstown and Port Elizabeth is an enjoyable nine mile (14 km) trip that takes about one hour.
communications system locally.
Grenadines
The Grenadines is a Caribbean island chain of over 600 islands in the Windward Islands.-Geographic boundaries:They are divided between the island nations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. They lie between the islands of Saint Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south. Neither...
. It is part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean....
, and is approximately 15 km from the nation's capital, Kingstown
Kingstown
Kingstown is the chief port of Saint Vincent, and the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. With a population of 25,418 Kingstown is a centre for the island's agricultural industry and a port of entry for tourists...
.
Geography
Port Elizabeth, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Port Elizabeth is a town located on the island of Bequia, which is part of the Grenadines island chain. It is the capital of Grenadines Parish.-See also:* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines...
13°00′N 61°16′W. Other villages on the island are Paget Farm, Lower Bay, La Pompe, Hamilton, Mount Pleasant and Belmont.
The total population is about 4,300, the native population being primarily a mixture of people of African, Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
and Carib Indian descent. A substantial number of white Barbadians were also sent as settlers to Bequia in the 1860s. A number of them built homes in the Mount Pleasant area where many of their descendants still live today. The island is very small, measuring some 7 square miles (18.1 km²). The main population areas are Port Elizabeth and Paget Farm which host the Ferry Terminal and Airport respectively.
Other prominent areas of Bequia include Spring, site of a former coconut plantation and home to agricultural animals, Industry Bay , Lower Bay and Park Bay,The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is located here.
Princess Margaret, who had a home on nearby Mustique
Mustique
Mustique is a small private island in the West Indies. The island is one of a group of islands called the Grenadines, most of which form part of the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines....
, visited Bequia and had a beach named in her honour. Princess Margaret Beach is next to Port Elizabeth and is situated inside Admiralty Bay.
Bequia means "island of the clouds" in the ancient Arawak
Arawak language
Arawak is the eponymous language of the Arawakan language family. The term is often used to cover the closely related Taino language of the Caribbean islands. The ethnonym Lokono may be used more specifically....
. The island's name was also 'Becouya' as part of the Granadilles.
The islands' unofficial anthem is considered to be 'Only in Bequia,' by island native Raphael "Socony" Holder.
The island's hills are much lower than the peaks of St. Vincent, 10 miles (16.1 km) to the north, so they do not receive as many rain showers.
The main port Admiralty Bay, a large natural harbour, and the "town" Port Elizabeth are situated on the west coast.
Tourism
Bequia is popular among cruisingCruising (maritime)
Cruising by boat is a lifestyle that involves living for extended time on a boat while traveling from place to place for pleasure. Cruising generally refers to trips of a few days or more, and can extend to round-the-world voyages.- History :...
yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
s, expats and vacationers. One of the busiest times of the year being the annual Easter Regatta.
Two Scuba diving stores run dive trips to twenty-eight identified dive sites around Bequia. There are several wrecks and shallow caves accessible to advanced divers. It is not unusual to see Hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. imbricata imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, while E...
s, lobsters, moray eels and many kinds of fish when diving Bequia.
History
As a result of the Treaty of UtrechtTreaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht, which established the Peace of Utrecht, comprises a series of individual peace treaties, rather than a single document, signed by the belligerents in the War of Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713...
which bought an end to the War of Spanish Succession and established peace between the Spanish and British empires, Great Britain obtained the lucrative monopoly over the Aciento slave trade. Runaway and shipwrecked slaves inhabited the island of St. Vincent in the 17th century and according to an early account of the French Antilles, to which Bequia was considered as being part of Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
, Bequia was too inaccessible to colonize and Caribs or Arawaks used the island for fishing and some cultivation. A few Portuguese and Dutch slave ships on route to Sint Eustatius from West Africa reportedly shipwrecked on the Grenadines reefs.
Bequia was under French control in the 18th century and during the Seven Years War with England the island was used by the fleets of their allies, the Spanish and Dutch, to take on supplies, while those of British were banned. The Treaty of Paris (1763)
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
produced a significant re-alignment in the map of the Caribbean. St. Vincent and the Grenadine islands, including Grenada, were ceded to the Britain in exchange for Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
, Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
and St. Lucia. Petit Martinique's name derives from this era, and so does Petit Saint Vincent
Petit Saint Vincent
Petit St. Vincent, known locally as PSV, is an island 40 statute miles south of St. Vincent in the Grenadine islands. It consists of softly rolling hills spread over 113 acres surrounded mostly by two miles of white sand beaches.The island is privately owned. In 1963 Haze Richardson and Doug...
. In 1779 the French seized the island, despite the Treaty of Paris, but were forced to relinquish control to Britain the soon after. The early 18th century saw the development of a sugar industry and related products including molasses and rum. Other major products included coffee, indigo and arrowroot. At one point in time, the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean....
were the single largest producer of arrowroot starch
Starch
Starch or amylum is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by all green plants as an energy store...
in the world. Presently Hairoun and Vincy strong rum are major export products primarily to the European Union.
James Hamilton, father of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
moved to Bequia from St. Croix, where he had raised Alexander as his son, in 1774 under a program instituted by Britain to give land to indigent settlers. The land granted to Hamilton lies along the shore of Southeast Bay. The elder Hamilton lived in Bequia until 1790 but was never visited by his son nor did he visit Alexander in America, despite the latter's frequent gifts of money and entreaties to immigrate or at least visit him.
It is held by some historians that the famous Captain Edward Teach had his base in Bequia. The opening shot of the movie Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
, Pirate of the Caribbean, made by the BBC actually displays a replica of his first ship off the coast of Bequia in the St. Vincent passage. According to local legend, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was not only Capt. Edward Teach's base, but also Sir Francis Drake's from where he planned his attacks on the Spanish admiralty in Don Blas de Lezo's Cartagena. John Hawkins
John Hawkins
Admiral Sir John Hawkins was an English shipbuilder, naval administrator and commander, merchant, navigator, and slave trader. As treasurer and controller of the Royal Navy, he rebuilt older ships and helped design the faster ships that withstood the Spanish Armada in 1588...
It is also thought that Henry Morgan
Henry Morgan
Admiral Sir Henry Morgan was an Admiral of the Royal Navy, a privateer, and a pirate who made a name for himself during activities in the Caribbean, primarily raiding Spanish settlements...
may also have anchored in Admiralty Bay as it was also at that time the safest natural harbour in the Eastern Caribbean in which to seek refuge from hurricanes. Also of interest is the fact that Bequia was used as a repair facility for ships. Besides Nelson's Dockyard
Nelson's Dockyard
Nelson's Dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina in English Harbour, Antigua. It is part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park, which also contains Clarence House and Shirley Heights...
on Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
and the carlyle in Bridgetown, Barbados, there were no docks or shipyards in the area. Wooden shipbuilding and shiprepair on Bequia was possible due to the presence of Cedar trees on the island and emphasizes the natural bond with the sea and international trade as a whole.
Whaling
Bequia is one of the few places in the world where limited whaling is still allowed by the International Whaling CommissionInternational Whaling Commission
The International Whaling Commission is an international body set up by the terms of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling , which was signed in Washington, D.C...
. Natives of Bequia are allowed to catch up to 4 Humpback Whales per year using only traditional hunting methods of hand thrown harpoons in small open sailing boats. Though they rarely catch their limit and some years do not catch any.
A feature of the Port Elizabeth waterfront is the Whale Boner Bar & Restaurant. This bar has an entrance onto the beach consisting of an arch of two whale ribs as well as whale vertebrae mounted on the bar seats and a whale rib running the length of the bar.
Bequia has a long tradition of whaling as well as the building of whaling boats. There is a small whaling museum on the island which chronicles this history.
Air
Erected in 1992, the James F. Mitchell international airport for small planes is located near Paget Farm. With a runway length capacity of 0.70 mi or 3696 feet, Bequia can be reached by plane with daily connections from Kingstown, Bridgetown and other surrounding islands.Sea
By regular time scheduled ferries from the main island of Saint VincentSaint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
. There are three ferries operational between the capital Kingstown and Port Elizabeth.
The other islands in the Grenadines can be reached by the last operational schooner in the Caribbean, the antique original Bequia build 'SS Friendship Rose', with its base at Port Elizabeth. The 'Friendship Rose' is often used by the local Bequia football (soccer) teams to sail to the other islands for their competitions. Picnics on board are renowned locally and day/overnight charters are still conducted with her.
More ideal for hitchhikers, backpackers and travelers is the Grenadines mail boat that enters Port Elizabeth on an irregular basis. Boarding is sometimes a bit of a hassle as the vessel remains in deeper waters whilst the passengers must jump on/off board using a small craft to land on the beach. Nevertheless it is a must see and do experience for those looking for real adventure.
An international inter-island ferry service (operated by the Windward Lines) passes Bequia also on a regular basis. This ferry carries besides local freight also local passengers from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, via Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and other islands in the Eastern Caribbean to Port Elizabeth. Very friendly service and excellent local restaurant is on board.
A convenient and enjoyable way to travel to Bequia is by local ferry departing daily from the main port in Kingstown, St. Vincent to Port Elizabeth in Bequia. The ferry pier is located 15 minutes away from E.T Joshua Airport and is served by two companies, Bequia Express and Admiralty Transport. Bequia Express is a family owned ferry that is 148 feet (45.1 m) long with a cargo space measuring 148 x 30 feet (9.1 m) of which 100 x 30 feet (9.1 m) is sheltered with a 14 feet (4.3 m) ceiling. The approximate capacity of the ship is 28 cars or 10 - 20’ containers and is licensed for 400 passengers. The Admiral II is a similarly sized vessel with a capacity for 250 passengers. Travelers on the Admiral II have a choice between air-conditioned indoor seating or covered outdoor seating. The passage between Kingstown and Port Elizabeth is an enjoyable nine mile (14 km) trip that takes about one hour.
Communications
There are various communication systems on the island. Regular telephone and fax lines, a mobile network and internet access are available. The old telex system is still operational. Furthermore Bequia has its own heavy duty long range shortwave (SW) radio antenna. Many inhabitants use the Marine VHF radioMarine VHF radio
Marine VHF radio is installed on all large ships and most seagoing small craft. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including summoning rescue services and communicating with harbours, locks, bridges and marinas, and operates in the VHF frequency range, between 156 to 174 MHz...
communications system locally.