Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean — Caribbean Region (Lesser Antilles)

Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey

July 24, 1926 - January 8, 1999

Photographed By Bradley Owen, March 14, 2023

1. Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Marker

Inscription. Albert Claudius Wathey, simply "Claude" to everyone, was no doubt the most dominant political figure on the island in the last century. The legendary leader was in power for almost 40 years, during which time St. Maarten was transformed from a sleepy backwater island whose inhabitants had to emigrate elsewhere to find work, into one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caribbean, attracting over a million visitors annually, including a very significant number of cruise passengers as well as thousands of immigrant workers from all over the world.

Claude was not only a man of vision who saw far beyond the horizon, but also a man of action, a captain who steered his people on a course of progress and prosperity. He had conceived of the expansion and modernization of the harbor and airport facilities more than 20 years ago, but his plans were considered too ambitious and costly. Claude's vision has been fulfilled, although he did not live to see the completion of the project for which he fought so hard.

In recognition of a life of endless love and deep commitment to St. Maarten and its people, and of a vision that is forever inspiring, the Board of Supervisory Directors of the St. Maarten Harbor Holding Ltd., dedicates this statue to the memory of Dr. Albert Claudius "Claude" Wathey.

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Location. 18° 0.818′ N, 63° 2.673′ W. Marker is in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. Marker is on Cruise Ship Terminal Promenade (The Harbor Point V, 0.7 kilometers Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philipsburg, Sint Maarten 00100, Dutch Caribbean. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Philip Frederick Craane (a few steps from this marker); Vance Theophilus James (a few steps from this marker); The Old Police Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Frontstreet Merchants (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Maarten Gingerbread Market Stalls (about 90 meters away); Historic Sint Maarten Remembered (about 150 meters away); Sint Rose Hospital (approx. one kilometer away); St. Joseph Convent 1890 (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philipsburg.

Regarding Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey. The Wathey family is an old Caribbean family of British origin. In 1951, the Caribbean Dutch colonies obtained greater political autonomy in the wake of world wide de-colonization and became known as the Netherlands Antilles, a fully autonomous six island state within

Photographed By Bradley Owen, March 14, 2023

2. Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Marker

the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Claude (as he was known) was elected to the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles in 1954, representing the three Dutch Windward Islands of Saba, Statia, and Sint
Maarten. Under his administration, Sint Maarten was transformed from a neglected colonial backwater into a thriving tourism destination with one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. He won every election until 1990, dominating Sint Maarten politics like a colossus, making a triumphant personal comeback in 1991 after a brief setback. After declaring that he was a "proud Caribbean man", he resigned from office in 1992 as a sign of protest to Dutch "higher supervision", a form of oversight and financial control imposed by the Dutch government to ensure "good governance". after allegations
of the island's first coalition government fell and Wathey's main rivals found themselves in opposition again. In 1994 Wathey was charged with corruption, fraud, and being part of a "criminal" organization; however, he was never sentenced or convicted on any of the latter, but received a 1 year prison sentence for perjury.

Also see . . . Claude Wathey. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on June 19, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011

3. Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Marker

Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Marker and statue greet the Cruise ships in port image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 9, 2011

4. Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Marker and statue greet the Cruise ships in port

Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

5. Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey

The Promenade image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 9, 2011

6. The Promenade

Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities Complex - Passenger Terminal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 10, 2011

7. Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities Complex - Passenger Terminal

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 9, 2011

8. Welcome

Dr. Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Pier image. Click for full size.

Photographed By George Mindling, December 20, 2021

9. Dr. Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey Pier

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,990 times since then and 163 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on June 19, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on January 23, 2022, by George Mindling of Port Charlotte, Florida, USA.