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Salt Island: the Forgotten & Neglected Island

Salt Island, which derived its name from its salt ponds (two ponds comprising approximately 12 acres), is a tiny 0.3 acre mostly hilly terrain island in the [British] Virgin Islands archipelago. Photo: Google Earth
Edgar Leonard. Photo: Provided
Edgar Leonard. Photo: Provided
Edgar Leonard

Salt Island is my ancestral homeland. Navel strings buried on Salt Island, my paternal grandfather, mother, father, several siblings, and other close family members claim Salt Island as the land of their birth. Nonetheless, Salt Island and generations of Salt Islanders (Cay/Key people) were a forgotten island and people.

Regrettably, Salt Island and its people suffered the usual fate of a small island in an island chain---NEGLECT. As such, Salt Islanders' descendants need the same fair and equal treatment enjoyed by sister communities regarding land distribution, i.e., Nibbs estate in Sea Cow Bay, Nottingham Estate in Long Look, and Anegada.

Geography Information

Salt Island, which derived its name from its salt ponds (two ponds comprising approximately 12 acres), is a tiny 0.3 acre mostly hilly terrain island in the Virgin Islands (British) archipelago. It is part of the Southern Cays, including Ginger Island, Cooper Island, Peter Island, and Norman Island. Lying at 18.3709°N, and 64.5274°W, located approximately 4.7 miles southeast of Road Town (Capital of Tortola, and VI), is sandwiched between Cooper Island to its east and Peter Island and Deadman's Chest ('Detchist' to Salt Islanders) to its west with its highest elevation being approximately 374 feet (114 meters).

People, History, Heritage, Culture & Legacy

Salt Island and its people have a storied, rich history and legacy. Nevertheless, the Salt Island story in the print and electronic media and elsewhere primarily refers to its iconic salt ponds and the sinking of the RMS Rhone, a UK Royal Mail Ship. Before the widespread availability of marine refrigeration, ships' demand for Salt Island salt was in huge demand for seasoning and preserving fish and meat; refrigeration availability contributed to the decline in demand. Further, on October 29, 1867, a hurricane (San Narcisco, Category 3) struck and wrecked the RMS Rhone, with only 23 of the 146 crew and passengers surviving the wreck.

Some of the bodies drifted up on Salt Island shore. Salt Islanders buried them in a mass grave at the western end of the island; when the island was inhabited, Salt Islanders maintained the gravesite; It is one of four burial sites. Moreover, it is perhaps an urban legend but the word on the street over the years was that Queen Victoria decreed that because of Salt Islanders' care and compassion for the deceased, they and their descendants should occupy Salt Island for their use, quiet, and enjoyment in perpetuity. The Wreck of the Rhone featured in the 1977 movie The Deep is now a popular dive site, and also the surrounding area is a national park. Nevertheless, the salt ponds and Wreck of the Rhone notwithstanding, the primary focus must be on the people and their industriousness, hardy lifestyle, culture, history, and the legacy of the forgotten and neglected people. As such, the Salt Island people's history, heritage, culture, and legacy must be highlighted, protected, promoted, and preserved. The culture of Salt Island should be a project on the Department of Culture bucket list.

Family Tree & Population

Adam Leonard aka 'Tardum', my paternal great grandfather and supposedly the son of an African slave from Ghana/West Africa, was the father of the 'Salt Island' nation. Tardum acquired the name Tardum due to his extremely dark complexion. The five major family branches, i.e., Abbott, Durante, Smith, Thomas, and Leonard, are closely related to Tardum. At its peak, some 100 people called Salt Island home sweet home; the majority of the people resided in the "Settlement," which is a small slit of land located between the main salt pond and Salt Island Bay, the principal seaport. However, currently, there are no permanent residents on Salt Island. Some contributing factors to the population decline include a) aging of the population, b) natural disasters, i.e., gales/hurricanes, c) lack of support services, d) lack of employment opportunities, e) quest for a higher quality of life, and standard of living, f) emigration to pursue employment opportunity and g) families relocating to Tortola to keep the family unit together/intact and to provide educational opportunities for their children.

Moreover, Herman Thomas, Norwell Durante, and Henry Leonard aka 'Chicken' were the last three holdouts and brave souls to reside on the island permanently. Leonard was the last brave soul to live alone on the island; he relocated to Tortola in 2008.

Living & Livelihood

Living on Salt Island was a simple, basic, enduring yet idyllic life with limited opportunities to earn a living. Salt Islanders became a close family with little to no external assistance and banded together, sharing limited resources to survive. It was a village with each one helping each one. To eke out a living, the islanders/villagers a) fish, b) pick/harvest salt, c) burn coal, d) reared small livestock stock, and e) work ground (subsistence agriculture). Further, the per capita income of Salt Island was a meagre few hundred dollars a year, but as a community, they didn't have much but shared and made the best and most of what they had.

Moreover, Salt Island was a forgotten and neglected island. Its people were stigmatised and tagged with the non-endearing term "Key People" (sometimes worst). Some were ashamed of and hid their connection to the "Key" (now, it is becoming a badge of honour to be connected to the Key; I'm a proud and unapologetic 'Key Boi') and received little to no government assistance. Nonetheless, the people persevered and survived.

Repopulation and Representation

From a high of 100 people, the population declined to zero. As such, descendants should lead the effort to repopulate Salt Island. Further, to facilitate the repopulation effort, the government must be an active and key player. It must invest in a) transportation, b) roads, c) electricity, d) water, e) wastewater/sewage, f) telecommunications, g) dock(s), and recreation and community services facilities. Moreover, Salt Island is currently in the Fourth (4th) electoral District (probably needs to be aligned with the 8th District). Nonetheless, since there are no permanent voters on Salt Island, its issues/needs are not a top priority for elected officials, i.e., the district representative or at large representatives. However, the Salt Island diaspora resides in all nine (9) electoral districts and they must exert their influence in dialogue with elected officials, potential candidates, and, more importantly, at the polls.

Land Utilisation

Salt Island is currently uninhabited. Consequently, with it being uninhabited, there is a serious potential risk in the upcoming years. For example, a new governing entity(s) can repurpose its use, and descendants could be out in the cold wondering what happened. As such, it is vital and critical that a strong, fair, equitable, structured, workable, and reasonable plan of action be developed and executed that puts Salt Island descendants on equal footing with its other sister communities around the territory regarding land distribution. Salt Island land had little to no value; now, it is highly valuable and prime real estate, and there is considerable interest in and demand for a piece of the Rock.

However, Salt Island is a tiny island of 0.3 square miles (190 ac), 12 acres occupied by two salt ponds, and 2 acres dedicated to burial sites. The remainder is available for decided use, including distribution among descendants. Nonetheless, the bottom line is that every man jack may not get a piece of the Rock individually. Consequently, any devised plan must provide the most benefits to the most people. Descendants must be involved in the decision-making.

Moreover, Frederick Douglass: If there is no struggle, there is no progress. And if Salt Island descendants want to progress in resolving the land distribution issue, they must unite and collectively fight for it. It will require descendants' intense and persistent effort to activate, agitate, and advocate to make things happen. They must follow up and follow through on pending action(s). Further, they must work collectively, collaboratively, and cooperatively with the government to devise a balanced, sensible, fair, and reasonable plan of action with milestones. Everyone will not get all the desired outcomes; it will take fairmindedness and compromise to make things happen. Family working together with a common goal can move mountains.

PS: Wallace Leonard aka 'Bonds' thoughtful insights on the future of Salt Island motivated my penning these few rambling lines.

36 Responses to “Salt Island: the Forgotten & Neglected Island”

  • Sister islander (30/09/2021, 13:11) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    These are not 'rambling lines' Mr. Leonard. Many thanks for a brilliant account of Salt Island.
    • islander (30/09/2021, 14:34) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Sister Islander, second the endorsement. E. Leonard( the proud and unapologetic Key Boi), our brother Islander, has provided an excellent account of some of the history of Salt Island, threw down the gauntlet and issued a challenge for us to fight for Salt Island. Ed used a fancy term repurpose but I say if we not careful the Big Shot officials and elites will tek it. All fellow Islanders, let us get to work.
      • Develop it (30/09/2021, 15:33) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
        It needs a five star resort with a salt spa!
        • Money is the root of evil (02/10/2021, 08:14) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
          Leave salt island as a sacred sanctuary for the family to meet. Everything doesn’t need to be commercialized. Be careful of the ideas behind the phrase “prime land”, often used when talking about making a profit. Leave it alone.
    • Islander 2 (30/09/2021, 17:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I too second the motion. Remember you coming down Cooper with cuz Cornelius and us kids playing and running up and down the the settlement. We were innocent kids. It was the age of innocence. We had no idea that Salt Island would be in the state of uncertainty that it is. Thanks for looking out and helping how you can. There may not be a lot of loud voices publicly saying so but feel assured other islanders appreciate the effort.
  • Bumpy (30/09/2021, 14:51) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Growing up I have accompanied my grandmother to travel on a boat to Salt Island for prayer meetings held on the Island. I understand the narrative of Mr. Leonard which account the journey through the years and now uninhabited. Salt Island is rich with history and culture that can be revived. We purchase imported sea salt from the supermarket. Wtf is wrong with us as a people? Just like we import sea salt[ We can export sea salt]. Why an interest is not shown in developing the commodities that we have here? I was in Atlanta sometime ago and see packaged tamarind balls. We have tamarind trees here but the tamarind is left on the trees to dry up. I didn't know about aloe wine, drinks made from hibiscus until I travelled. We have those resources here but will any government previous or present research manufacturing and developing our resources? No. They are just interested in Consultancies and Importations. We need a new direction.
  • hmmm (30/09/2021, 15:21) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I had no idea the history of Salt Island was so deep. I'd like to see more stories of this nature.
    • @hmmm (30/09/2021, 19:59) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      @hmmm, Leonard just touched the surface on the rich history of Salt Island and its people. There is much more to the story. Too many Virgin Islanders are ashamed of their culture, feeling it does not match up to other cultures. Others embrace and celebrate their culture while we sideline ours. VI culture and heritage is under promoted and celebrated. Let’s be proud of who we are. Though belittled in the past, Salt Islanders are proud people. Looking forward to when Covid is behind us and Descendants Day can be celebrated again. Descendants Day needs to be bigger and better attended. Let’s make it the place to be on July 1st.
  • Amusement park (30/09/2021, 16:04) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    Turn it into a amusement park for tourism. Let the descendants work there for pay from the gov.
  • RealPol (30/09/2021, 17:17) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bonds, boy, your unc bigging you up. Lol. Good job narrating the history and circumstances surrounding Salt Island and its people. Good advocate and defender of the Salt Island people. The past no doubt is important but do you have any specific thoughts on the future use of Salt Island. During the last political campaign, a political aspirant floated the idea of a salt production factory. An idea but the annual salt production is too uncertain for perhaps such a viability. With interest, I noted in the article that you....‘must provide the most benefit to the most people.’ That is profound and deep and deserves further mining. Do you have any thoughts on how to make this idea bear fruit?
  • Proud (30/09/2021, 17:36) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am proud to be a descendant of Salt Island. This was a great article.
    • Islander 3 (30/09/2021, 19:31) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Proud, I too am proud to be a descendant of Salt Island. Edgar kind of sugar coat being from Salt Island. Salt Island people were look upon; they were not high on the social ladder. They were referred to as Cay People or Cay Goat and all they were good for was catching goat and fish and picking salt. Good summary of the life on and history of Salt Island, bringing it to life and main stream. Thanks homy.
  • Ne Timeas (30/09/2021, 22:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Outstanding people focus summary on Salt Island. As noted, most written information on Salt Island is typically tilted towards the salt ponds and the wreck of the Rhône with some inaccurate information. The human factor story usually got second billing. Applaud you for the focus on the human factor side. Clearly, you got a good measure and read of life and living on Salt Island. Most Virgin Islanders and residents are not fully aware of the rich history and legacy of Salt Island and Salt Islanders. On another note, it is insulting to descendants to suggest to just turn it into an amusement park or other entertainment facility and let the descendants be workers at these facilities. Undoubtedly, these insulting and slap in the face suggestions are disappointing and are not coming from descendants; at least, I hope not. The economic factor is being proposed as more important than the human factor. Good read mi amigo. Ne Timeas means don’t be afraid and clearly you are not afraid to take on the tough may not so popular issue. But of course, you are battle tested. I salute you.
  • Political Observer (PO) (30/09/2021, 23:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Though there are currently no voters on Salt Island, agree that Salt Island should be in 8th Electoral District vice the 4th, given the closer proximity to the 8th District, and the traditional close familial, economic and social ties. Moving it from the 4th to 8th will not result in any imbalance among the 9 electoral districts. Although there is much information for mining in the commentary, the theory of the case for the population decline from 100 to 0 is interesting and worthy of further analysis. It can a class project for an HLSCC course. More often than not, Salt Island is/was seen as one of the ‘Cays’ and not much more; it clearly has a history and story that is worth exploring.
  • Descendant (01/10/2021, 06:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Proud born Salt Island descendant. Thanks for raising Salt Island from obscurity as a lowly “Key” to the front burner, elevating its profile. I hope that this effort don’t die on the vine for lack of interest and selfish bickering. Descendants need to step up to the plate and as Edgar noted work collectively, cooperatively and collaboratively to make things happen. As E. Leonard noted, fair-mindedness and compromise must be a key component in the discussion and debate. Government plays a key role as the neutral arbiter in making things happen fairly, sensibly, workably and equitably.
  • Salt Island Revival and Renewal (01/10/2021, 06:35) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    As a descendant of Adam Leonard AKA Tardum, this is proud and glorious moment yet a sad moment. The decline of the Salt Island village is regrettable. Salt Island was a family and village. The Salt Island experience demonstrated the benefit of working together for a common purpose and goal. Salt Island had it, worked and lost it. Salt Island is not alone though, for villages all across the BVI have suffered the same fate. I’m feeling nostalgic. Let’s revive and renew the virtuous Salt Island experience. Let’s make our ancestors proud and excited in their resting places.
  • St Thomas (Rock) Descendant (01/10/2021, 07:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Greetings from Rock. Nice read on Salt Island. Family from Salt Island but didn’t talk about it much. Article was enlightening. Hope to visit soon.
  • Anegada Descendant. (01/10/2021, 08:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anegada Salt Island descendant but never been to Salt Island. Interesting and curious read. Tell us more.
  • NY Salt Island Descendant (01/10/2021, 09:19) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Joining the recognition parade, I too am a Salt Island descendant from Bronx, NY. However, I don’t know much about Salt Island and couldn’t pinpoint it to save my life. But I find its story fascination, raising my curiosity. Is there a book or documentary on Salt Island available? The Salt Island people, history, heritage, customs and culture need to be memorialized. My proud meter is rising.
  • East End Descendant (01/10/2021, 10:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    As A youngster, I spent many summers and holidays with my grandmother on Salt. It was a lot of fun playing on the beach, dabbling in the pond, picking whelks, fishing, helping and watching the adult haul up their boats. There was no electricity, telephone, indoor plumbing, running water, restaurants……etc but it was fun. I cherish the experience with my grandmother and other family on Salt. Still have vivid memories of some of faces, ie, Gabo, Herman, Daisy, Ina, Gina, Fred, Butt, Maxwell among others. Now, as an adult, I have different vision of Salt Island and how that vision can be accomplished and sustained. Cuz, thanks for lighting this fire; thanks for removing the bushel from the Salt Island. Fellow descendants, we need to keep the fire burning. By the way I’m not averse to Salt Island being in the 8th District; what was the rationale for aligning it with 4th? Further, has anyone seen any written documentation whereby Queen Victoria bequeathed Salt Island to Salt Islanders and their descendants or as cuz said it is an urban legend?
  • Reality check (01/10/2021, 13:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves and get too elated. This was a great summary of life, living and history of Salt Island and it is just that a single good commentary. Seems like we are nostalgic about the days of old. However, this is a new day, a new beginning, and what is needed is a new structured strategic development plan for the way forward for next chapter of Salt Island.

    Some work has already commenced along those lines and fleshing out needs to be continued. Nonetheless, something that Leonard noted that resonates with me. He emphasized the need for providing the most benefits for the most people; this must be the central focus of the debate.

    Further, my comment may come across as a negative critique of the article but far from it. My aim, my goal is to ensure that we develop a proper, fair and reasonable plan to get this right the first time. Note that I didn’t say a perfect plan. It is more important that people sit down discuss, debate, and decide and get a good decision than to rush to meet some expediency and the outcome is horrible.
  • Brother Islander (01/10/2021, 22:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Proud to be an Islander/descendant and welcome this informative article. Whatever Bonds said to his uncle, E. Leonard, was instrumental in getting him to pen what he called rambling lines. But as my Sister Islander noted, they are not rambling lines. Nonetheless, in the Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1, Shakespeare wrote, ‘What’s past is prologue.’

    In the BVI, traditionally with the increased land value, land distribution among families typically due to greed, selfishness, unwillingness to compromise …….etc have become frictional and adversarial. Hopefully, I’m wrong but I’m nervous that Salt Island land distribution too will be acrimonious. Keeping it real. Some divisive seeds have already been sown. As such and as Edgar noted, Government must be an active and key player in ensuring that the train does not derail. The first order of business must be effective planning and organizing the process.
    • @Brother Islander (02/10/2021, 08:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is tough love but real and needed. When it comes to sharing land, BVI lose all sensibilities and reasonableness. We would slaughter family unity on the alter of land ownership. Disgraceful and shameful. Just a few months I saw a post that I will paraphrase. It goes like this: we born with nothing and die with nothing but in between these two life events, we fight selfishly for things we cannot take with us. That is real talk. From the article, it appears that earlier Salt Island generations lived as a close family, had little but banded together and shared what they had for the benefit and good of the village. They set the standard for us, the current generation. However, will greed and badmindness let us live that way our ancestors did? Let’s let our ancestors rest peacefully in their resting places. Let’s us do what is right and fair. We cannot have God on one side and lucifer on the other.
  • Everything is not money (02/10/2021, 08:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave salt island alone!
    • @Everything is not money (02/10/2021, 11:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      10-4, Roger that. The Big shots and elites in Town see Salt Island not as Salt Islanders home but sole as a potential tourist stop to raise a little money. Just like they wanted to give away 3/4 of Anegada to Kenneth Bates Hill in 1967 so they will do the same to Salt Island. Salt Islanders stay silent to their own peril.
  • VG Salt Island Subtract (02/10/2021, 08:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks cuz for taking the time to write this commentary. Though my family has roots in Salt Island, I don’t pay much attention to Salt Island or how life was on it. I curiously visited it one time but truthful I was not impressed. There was nothing much to get excited about. Return from the trip and got on with life and living. I’m sure that I’m not the only descendant with this attitude. Well, perhaps I’m. I’m not proud of it but it what it is/was. Nevertheless, the article shed a new light on things. It may be my road to Damascus moment. Looking forward to learning more about Salt Island history.
  • Fellow Key/Cay Person (02/10/2021, 11:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Edgar, the proud and unapologetic Key Boi, you have root up a red ants nest. You have brought out the good, the bad and the ugly. It seems there is a lot of heated suppress anger and frustration surfacing. We are talking at each other anonymously, not talking to each other face to face. It is courageous to talk mano a mano or mujer a mujer face to face with each other. Let’s call or visit with each other respectfully, genuinely, regularly and put the cards on the table. On a more positive note, Salt Island looking from offshore or even onshore does not seem like much. But the truth is as noted it is a gem with a rich history, heritage, culture…..etc that may have fallen on hard time. But the future looks bright for the next generation(s) of Salt Islanders, if greed, avarice, selfishness and badmindness don’t kill the hope, the dream.
  • Richie (02/10/2021, 15:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    To my fellow son of the soil Mr. EL, well done and tnks for the lesson!!!
    With respect to forward motion and the "next step I'm hoping and praying that our family members, friends and political reps at home would convene a get-together ASAP to explore ideas for a realistic forward movement on this all-important matter.
  • Native Salt Islander Pride (02/10/2021, 17:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the history, heritage, culture and legacy of Salt Island live on in perpetuity.
  • Dejected Salt Islander (04/10/2021, 07:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cuz loving this article. As youngsters both on both Cooper and Salt none of had an inkling our vision that Salt Island, the little gem, would be in this state and at this stage. We probably envisioned Salt Island being the way we knew it. A people living a simple, basic life. As adults, we knew that was a fancy, for generations come and generations; the older generations that we grew up with left one by one: Herman, Florence, Fred, Gina, Clementina, Butt, Norwell, Ina, Gabo, Charlotte, Kiddick, Beatrice, Tiponse, Alvin, South, Ms Marie to name a few. All that is left now are precious fading memories and the deteriorating/deteriorated footprint of their homes. Living on Salt was a magical time but it seems painfully that the magic is waining or full gone. Descendants, we all have to look shamefully in the mirror and reflection should scare and convict us.

    Cuz, a week ago, you published an article entitled Covid -19 X-ray Crystallograph of VI Economic Ills. Though IMO Hurricane Irma did that earlier. Nevertheless, your article was current and also on point. I will take the libert y to say that your article Salt Island the Forgotten and Island did the same to expose the plight of Salt Island.

    Salt Island has gone too the dogs and a shell of its itself. All it seems that it is good for these days is that for a few descendants to occasionally camp out or using as hicking trip or for curious visitors to stop and take a peek and wonder or being used as a tourism sight seeing stop or sail by. Additionally, there is also increasing interest to put it simply ‘some looking kind.’ Fellow descendants, Salt Island is more than this. Are we going to let Salt Island rich history and heritage die? And if no what are we going to do about preserving it? As saying goes, talk is cheap but money buy land. Let’s unite, dispel the talk and leap into action. The certainty is that if we don’t others will scoop in and tek it. They will capitalize on the opportunity. To borrow another word (resource curse) that cuz used from time to time, let’s not let Salt Island be a resource curse.
  • Awakened Descendant (04/10/2021, 13:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The truth is Salt Island is taken for granted. A get away we can drop in to on a holiday for a picnic or a weekend camp out or a ceremonial traditional Salt Breaking event or of late a hiking trail to entertain inquisitive visitors. As the many comments show, there is a warm spot in the heart for Salt Island and ancestors. However, to celebrate our ancestors and the rich history, heritage, culture and legacy of Salt Island, we must do more than hold a warm spots in our hearts. We have to stop hoping that the other person is going to do something. All of us must unselfishly do our part.

    Truth be told Salt Island looks like a forgotten wasteland. A non familiar earthly visitor or a visitor from outer space would go WTF. What happen here? And it would not be spin or an exaggeration. Diaspora, descendants….etc, let’s get awakened and enlightened. This may sound like some bourgeois but it is real talk.
  • Road Town Descendant (04/10/2021, 22:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m a Salt Island descendant living in Road Town, the capital city, and join the Salt Island roll call. The Salt Island discussion is enjoyable. However, the discussion must result in something concrete or else all the happy thought will be for nought. Where are Salt Island diaspora in other locations. Join the roll call.
  • Lower Estate/Ghut Descendant (05/10/2021, 10:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lower Estate/Huntums Ghut/Station Salt Island Descendant roll call, loving it to the fullest.
  • NJ Salt Island Descendant (06/10/2021, 11:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NJ Salt Island here joining the Salt Island roll. Delighted and embarrassed reading about Salt Island. Delighted to have Salt Island roots but embarrassed knowing so little about it. The article wet my appetite. Are there going to be follow up. Is there a descendants reunion being planned on Island?
  • Joanna (09/02/2022, 21:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My dad took my family on a sailboat to the BVI's when I was 11, so in 1986 or 87. We went to salt island and there were 4 people living there. Also lots of chickens. Everyone was so nice and I remember my dad asking the name of the man he spoke to. I think there were 3 men and one woman living there. We went back on the same boat 2 years later and went back to Salt Island, and there were only 3 people remaining. I'd never been to an island with so little people living on it. Sad to read nobody lives there anymore, but it must have been tough. I tell everyone about Salt Island who will listen. The BVi's after Thailand were the most magical place I've ever been.


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