Dieppe Bay Town
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Dieppe Bay Town is a town in Saint John Capesterre Parish, Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is the oldest town ever founded by Europeans in the Eastern Caribbean, first being established in 1538. The original town only survived a few weeks before its destruction by the Spanish, but was re-founded in 1625, by French settlers lead by Pierre D'Esnambuc. It is the co-capital of the parish along with Saddlers; originally the northern part of the parish was ruled by France, in the region of Capisterre de St. Chritstophe, in which Dieppe was the capital. The southern part of the parish was ruled by the United Kingdom, in British Saint Christopher, which had its parish capital in Saddlers. When Britain took full control of the island in 1713, both capitals remained.
The town was once home to a busy port, situated along the harbour at Dieppe. The harbour was renowned on the island due to the large reef formations offshore which gave it strong protection against the heavy waves which somewhat prevented Atlantic Coast development elsewhere. The port however, saw its functions cease after all business was shifted to Basseterre following it being made capital of St. Kitts in 1723.
Dieppe Bay is a very small town with a very small population, however its historical significance to St. Kitts and its former status as capital of the Capisterre region has allowed it to earn the status of town on St. Kitts. It is the fifth town of Saint Kitts after Basseterre, Sandy Point, Cayon, and Old Road.
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