Last modified: 2023-05-09 by olivier touzeau
Keywords: diamant (le) | diamond |
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![[Flag of Le Diamant]](../images/m/mq-dia.gif)
Flag of Le Diamant - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 7 March 2023
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Le Diamant (Creole: Dianman or Diaman, lit. 'Diamond') is a commune in southwestern Martinique (5,500 inhabitants on 27.34 km²).
It is named after the Diamond Rock, a basalt island which gets its name from the reflections that its sides cast at certain hours of the day, evoking images of a precious stone. The island lies in a strategic position in the straits between St. Lucia and Martinique. During the Napoleonic Wars, a small British naval squadron took up station in the waters around Martinique, harassing French warships, privateers and merchant ships. In 1803, the squadron's commodore Sir Samuel Hood ordered that cannons be placed on Diamond Rock. The commodore classified the Rock as a “stone frigate” and gave it the name “HMS Fort Diamond.” For 17 months, the French made various attempts to capture the island band finally, Napoleon sent a fleet to do battle with the Rock. The British did not surrender until they were almost out of water, food and ammunition.
Olivier Touzeau, 7 March 2023
The flag of Le Diamant (observed in situ in February 2023; photo) is white with the logo of the commune.
Olivier Touzeau, 7 March 2023
