Jacob's Ladder

On Holland America Line’s 2009 around-the-world cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam, we were lucky with the weather and on April 28 were able to stop at ST. HELENA, one of the most remote places in the world. We had a wonderful time. Among our visits was Napoleon’s tomb.

The Emperor of France ended his days as a prisoner on the island in 1821, and his grave is still there — but he is not; in 1861 the bones were moved to Paris. Our last stop was at Fort Jacob, which is not much — the usual gun emplacements but with a great view. Local residents watched visitors finish the 699-step ascent of Jacob’s Ladder (left), which climbs straight up the mountain from the capital, Jamestown, below.

Later, I visited a museum in Jamestown with information and pictures about how the Ladder was constructed. Indentured servants were brought from China to build it (their descendents still live on the island). It is one of the most unique stairway constructions I have ever seen.

Where the steps now exist, there once was a system of rail tracks with which mules could pull loads up. Also, the steps themselves are not uniform, some being 12 inches in depth and others 14 or perhaps 10. I went up six steps, had my picture taken, and descended.

PHILIP De TURK

Pinehurst, NC