In former times Salt Island supplied the salt for the British Navy's Caribbean fleet from its salt ponds. Although belonging to the crown the island and it's salt ponds were operated by the local populace. Even today it's occupants harvest the salt, you will find it for sale both on the island and in local stores. Each year they pay their token tithe to the queen - one sack of salt. A great tragedy occurred in 1867 on the rocks of Salt Island, when the Royal Mail Ship Rhone sank in a storm, taking 125 persons with her. Its remains are extensive and have become a fascinating underwater habitat for marine life. It is part of the national park system and is rated the most popular wreck dive in the Caribbean by numerous dive publications.