Anegada | Cooper Island | Jost Van Dyke,Sandy Cay,Sandy Spit Norman Island | Peter Island | Tortola | Virgin Gorda
In former times Salt Island supplied the salt for the British Navy's
Caribbean fleet from it's salt ponds. Although belonging to the
crown the island and it's salt ponds were operated by the local
populace. Even today it's occupants harvest the salt, you will find
it for sale both on the island and in local stores. Each year they
pay their token tithe to the queen - one sack of salt.
A great tragedy occurred in 1867 on the rocks of Salt Island, when the Royal Mail Ship Rhone sank in a storm, taking 125 persons with her. Its remains are extensive and have become a fascinating underwater habitat for marine life. It is part of the national park system and is rated the most popular wreck dive in the Caribbean by numerous dive publications.
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