The threat of pirates and privateers was still a serious matter in the latter years of the 18th century. So, it was of utmost importance to build a fort to defend the island against any eminent danger. Just so you know, privateers are sanctioned by a monarchy, republic, or company via a letter of marque to plunder booty. Usually from an enemy state.

A pirate is freelance and thus plunders everybody’s booty. Yes booty…it’s a synonym for loot or treasure. Perv.

The namesake of rear admiral Arnold Zoutman was (according to research) built between 1796 and 1798 by African slaves brought over from Curacao. The tower is named “Willem de Drie toren” or William the 3rd tower and is named after the Dutch monarch. It was built between 1863 and 1866 and used to serve as Arubas first lighthouse. I mentioned in our previous episodes: Unveiling Paardenbaai and Exploring the Church on the Bay, that development in those days came by way of mandate from Curaçao, the main governing body of the Caribbean Dutch colonies.

Like most government-, military-, and religious buildings of that era, it was built from limestone, which was readily available because Aruba consists of 85% of this porous, easily manipulable building material. The fort sits at the southeastern edge of what used to be Paardenbaai beach or as we affectionately call it Playa.

It had three main uses: protect the bay, repel any land-based attack, and quell any domestic disturbance. Four cannons facing the bay would suffice as a deterrent to any attack by sea. In addition to the cannons a very peculiar defense strategy was also used called: Switch the flags. Any colonial power that flew their flag atop the fort had control over the island, kinda like catch the flag.

And as you may have figured out, a privateer never attacks the territories of the monarchy, republic or company that hired them. If the Dutch flag flew over the fort and the French flag was spotted over the horizon, the Dutch flag would be replaced with the French one. Thus, thwarting any attack. This strategy was full proof…until the day it wasn’t.

You see in those days the Dutch and the English didn’t really meet eye to eye, and this resulted in an incident that happened in Paardenbaai in early October of 1799. Now mind you there are two versions regarding the events that conspired that day.

Number one: The HMS Surprise was on the hunt for HMS Hermione who had fallen in Spanish hands after a mutiny in 1797 and was rumored to be anchored under the name La Santa Cecilia in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela a stone’s throw from Paardenbaai, Aruba. The Surprise lead by English admiral Sir Edward Hamilton mounted an attack against the ships anchored in the bay.

The Dutch Colonial Influence – Fort Zoutman

As the men in Fort Zoutman rallied to the cannons, they had the gun powder, the fuse was at length, the only thing missing were the balls. The cannon balls were in Curacao. So, they were left with no choice but to stuff the cannons with whatever they could find made of predominantly metal. The deafening sounds of the cannons echoed through the bay and in the aftermath Hamilton’s first officer was lying dead before him with a spoon protruding from his forehead.

The price of death by utensil was too high to pay for supplies, and so the HMS Surprise left. In the Second rendition of the story the HMS Surprise (lead by Admiral Edward Hamilton) was anchored out of range of Fort Zoutmans cannons, so an attack with regular cannon balls would be a waste of ammunition. The Suprise (had already) lowered a longboat with Hamilton, his first officer and a crew of 16 to attack the ships in the bay and “secure resources”.

Commander Borchard Specht head of the fort at the time greeted the longboat with grapeshot fired from the cannons which took the life of Hamiltons’ first officer thus forcing the longboat to turn back to the HMS Surprise and prompting the ship to raise anchor and vanish in the horizon. Now I know this version doesn’t sound as exciting as the former but hey…at least it’s anchored in fact… Yes, that was a pun.

By the way…the movie “Master and Commander: The far side of the World is based on the story of the HMS Surprises hunt for La Santa Cecilia a.k.a. HMS Hermione. Today Fort Zoutman is home to the Arubian Museum of History and is also a venue for events such as the Bon Bin Festival. A historic, cultural, and folkloric illustration of Aruba.

Guys, that’s it for today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed the tour…as always…once a guest always a friend…

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