The area around the Huntsman is rich in history and occasionally students attending field courses get a history lesson mixed in with the marine biology. The most frequent lesson is about St. Croix Island, which students view while heading upriver on our research vessel. The story goes:
The French were looking to establish a year-round settlement in North America between the 40th and 46th parallels, the territory they called l’Acadie. In 1604 Pierre Dugua and his team including, Samuel de Champlain, a mapmaker set out on an expedition to do this. The expedition arrived in the area in late June. De Mons named the island, I’île Sainte-Croix and decided it would be the settlement. The ship dropped off the 79 male settlers and headed back to France. The settlers were unprepared for a North American winter. Due to ice floes they became cut off from the mainland and its source of firewood, fresh water and meat. As a result 35 of the men died. After the harsh winter they decided to move the settlement to the shores of Nova Scotia where Port Royal was established. From there the French went on to settle Quebec City.
St. Croix Island is remembered as one of the earliest European settlements in North America, which lead to a lasting French presence on this continent. It is of great historical significance to all North Americans but especially those of French heritage.
The island from the US side of the river.
The island from our research vessel.
