Dajabón River (highlighted in red)
The Dajabón River (also called Massacre River) is a 47 kilometer (29 mi) - long river in northeastern Haiti and the northwestern Dominican Republic. From its source in Loma de Cabrera, DR, the river flows in a northwesterly direction (after first swamping through Colonia Carbonera, DR), traveling through at least 7 cities and towns before reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Ferrier. Along the way, it forms part of the Haiti and Dominican Republic border.
The river got the name "Massacre River" because it was the site of the killing of thirty French buccaneers by Spanish settlers in 1728. The name became newly popular after being the site of many killings during the Parsley Massacre—though the event was not, contrary to popular belief, the origin of its name.
The river serves as part of the natural border between the Haiti's Northeast Department and the Dominican provinces of Dajabon and Monte Cristi.
History[]
The river's indigineous name is Guatapana; it serves as the northern limit of the borough of Fort-Liberté from its mouth to the mouth of the Jacquezy River. It is also called the Daxavon. Ouanaminthe is placed on its left bank and Dajabon on the right. It flows into Mancenille Bay 8 kilometers (5 mi.) east of the entrance to Fort Liberté.
The eastern limit of the Fort Liberté borough starts from the source of Massacre to its mouth, following all its windings along the left bank. The province of Monte Christe is located in the opposite direction following the right bank of the Massacre, the course of which is 53 kilometers (33 miles).
The northern plains start from the Massacre River to the limits of Port-Margot. They have an extent of approximately 180 square leagues (5,556 sq.km or 2,145 sq.mi).
In 1728, the boundaries between the French colony of Saint Domingue and the neighboring Spanish colony were not fixed. The French entered the possessions of S. M. Catholique every day. The King of France had ordered his subjects to stop at the Massacre River, it is the northern limit of the two republics which have shared the island of Haiti since 1777.
One day, Spanish colonists suprised a group of 30 buccaneers who, laden with plunder, sought to cross the river. After a fierce struggle, these intrepid adventurers met a tragic end along the banks of the Guatapana. Consequently, the river was named Massacre. Its source is located at Mount Bayaha, and it remains navigable for several kilometers. The river flows past several islands in its lower reaches, including the Îlet de Caïmans situated 5 kilometers (3 miles) upstream and the Îlet du Massacre located 1 kilometer further. The sea extends into the Massacre for up to 75 kilometers (47 miles). The Matrice River, which feeds into the Massacre, is abundant in caimans and mullets. On the right, its tributaries include the Macabonet Estudio, while on the left are the Matrice and the Rivière des Mines.
- In December 1800, Toussaint Louverture, advancing towards Santo Domingo, saw General Moïse, leading 3,000 troops, cross the Massacre River on the 10th. This maneuver was aimed at taking control of the territory that had been ceded by Spain to France in 1795 under the Treaty of Basel.
- On December 14, 1802, Toussaint Brave, a prominent leader of the northern rebels opposing the French, established a position at the mouth of the Massacre. Captain Pradine, commanding the frigate Ambuscade with 150 men under the command of battalion chief Pigné Montignac, landed there, supported by the frigate's artillery. He overpowered the local forces and secured control of the post, subsequently setting ablaze ten captured boats.
Îlet du Massacre[]
Îlet du Massacre is an islet situated 5.5 kilometers (3.4 mi.) from the mouth of the Massacre River. This island extends 8.5 kilometers (5.28 miles) in length. The eastern side of the island is bordered by the right arm of the Massacre, known as the Don Sebastien River or Spanish Arm. During dry conditions, the west arm, also referred to as the French arm, retains a water depth of 0.2 to 0.25 meters (Approx. 10 in.).