Dr Albert Claudius ("Claude") Wathey
July 24, 1926 - January 8, 1999
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 concieved 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.
Marker is on Cruise Ship Terminal Promenade (The Harbor Point V 0.7 kilometers from Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
