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For Immediate Release. Contact: Greg Johnson - Cohone4th@aol.com
July 29, 2008
The Harry L. Johnson Museum recently received a vintage photo of Eert Joseph Sloterdijk, the former Harbormaster and Brigadier in charge of the Saba police. Mr. Sloterdijk's daughter, Anna Bernadena "Dena" Sloterdijk-Johnson donated the 1931 family heirloom, which exemplifies the pioneer spirit of the islanders in the early 20th century.
Eert Sloterdijk was from Friesland in northern Holland. At 16 he tried to join the military ranks but was found out and was sent back home to his parents. In 1911, at the age of 18, he joined the cavalry as a koloniaal. He then became a part of the koninklijke marechaussee or military police on Curacao in 1912, where he served the Dutch Crown on St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 1924, attained the rank of Sergeant and Harbormaster in 1928 and later, Brigadier of the police force on Saba. He served the Queen for more than twenty years, retired on Saba and lived in Windwardside with his wife Orie Hassell-Sloterdijk.
Included with the picture is a quote from an unpublished manuscript titled "Caribbean Interlude" by Kenneth Bolles, an American writer who visited Saba in 1931 aboard the steamer Baralt. This paragraph, from the almost lost manuscript, describes the first person he meets, Eert Sloterdijk, after being transported via small surf boat atop the crashing waves to the less than inviting rocky shore of Fort Bay.
"The Harbormaster, who was also Brigadier in charge of the Saba police, shook my hand. He was bristly and full of good cheer, his blue eyes and ruddy Dutch cheeks shining beneath a white helmet. His Khaki coat was strewn with brass buttons and the bulging of an upper pocket, which hung from a big gold chain, suggesting the presence of an enormous gold watch. He spoke English."
 Dena Sloterdijk-Johnson describes the early days with ease. "The Sloterdijk family, my mother, brothers, sisters and I, were all born and raised on Saba. We lived in Bunker Hill Cottage, which is on the road as you come up from the Fort Bay. As children we had no outside media, so for entertainment we would gather 'round my father's chair and he would tell us about his travels. And when visitors came to Saba, they had to walk up from Fort Bay and would stop at The Bunk for a lee chip o' water before continuing their journey. No cars then, mind you. Yes, Saba is quite unique ... I love coming home."
"My mother cherishes that photograph and Saba as well," says her son, Greg Johnson. "She loves this island and has many fond memories of growing up here and wanted to share this small part of her life."
Mrs. Dena Sloterdijk-Johnson will present the gift to the museum in August while attending her granddaughter's wedding on Saba. She looks forward to more visits in the future and will always hold close the, "exciting moments of my youth while living on the Auld Rock."
Top Photo: Museum chairman Glenn Holm receives gift from Dena Johnson
Middle Photo: Family photo L to R Henry Johnson, Kathy Hassell-Johnson, Dena Johnson, Greg Johnson
 Back to community news page.
Story Greg Johnson; and photos by his sister Kathleen Hassell-Johnson.
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