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Sombrero, one of the Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, 1865. Creator: Unknown
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Sombrero, one of the Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Sombrero, one of the Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, 1865. Source of '...the richest natural deposit of phosphate of lime at present known...a report was made to the British Government, but did not meet with that consideration which subsequent events prove it to have deserved. In 1856 the Americans took possession of the island, and in the course of a very short time exported to the extent of 100,000 tons of this valuable fertiliser, to resuscitate the exhausted lands of the Southern States. Subsequently their proceedings attracted the attention of a British surveying expedition, at that time engaged in the West Indies...It appears that the Americans have already quarried away a considerable part of the island, and sold the substance in New York. This transaction led to an official correspondence between the British and American Governments, and eventually the right of the British Crown to the possession of this valuable deposit was acknowledged by the United States Government. Sir Roderick Murchison considers our holding the Island of Sombrero to be of great national importance, in providing our agriculturists, from a British possession, with a plentiful supply of a good substitute for the guano of Peru'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865
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Media ID 38686289
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British Overseas Territory Caribbean Excrement Export Fertiliser Fertilizer Guano Island Raw Materials Sailing Ships Sombrero Supply Anguilla British Empire
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EDITORS COMMENTS
**A Treasure Trove in the Caribbean: Sombrero Island, Leeward Islands (1865)**
This photograph print captures a moment in time on Sombrero Island, one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. In 1856, American entrepreneurs seized control of this small island and began extracting phosphate deposits to supply fertilizers to resuscitate exhausted lands in the Southern States. The British government took notice, leading to an official correspondence between governments that ultimately recognized Britain's claim to the valuable deposit.
As Sir Roderick Murchison notes, Sombrero Island holds great national importance for providing a reliable source of guano substitute from a British possession. This photograph offers a glimpse into the island's natural beauty and its significance in the global economy during this pivotal moment in history. The image is believed to have been taken around 1865 by an unknown photographer.
In this era, Sombrero Island was renowned for its rich phosphate deposits, which were highly prized as fertilizers. This photograph serves as a testament to the island's importance and the significant events that unfolded on its shores during this time period.
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