Surrounded by local volcanic rock walls, the Dutch Fort Oranje on the island of Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean includes citadel with cannons, three bastions, and a parade grounds. The most impressive are the barracks and the entrance gate. The current stone structure was built by the British in 1703.
November 16, 1776, went down in history as the first international acknowledgment of American independence, and the event is known as the "First Salute". On that day, the American brig Andrew Doria anchored in front of the Dutch Fort Oranje. The American warship announced her arrival with a salute of thirteen guns, one for each of the thirteen American colonies in revolt against Britain. The Dutch responded from St. Eustatius' Fort Oranje with an eleven-gun salute. According to international protocol, two guns fewer in a salute meant the recognition of a sovereign flag.
