<P> "Buses" in Tortola refers to full - sized passenger vans, or large modified open - air pick - up trucks with bench seating and a canvas top: these are known locally as "safaris". Traveling by bus can be less expensive than having a taxi to oneself, and is often an option when travelling from the airport to Road Town, or from town to either end of the island . </P> <P> On 1 August 1834, the Emancipation Proclamation was read at the Sunday Morning Well . </P> <P> In 1853, a town - wide fire destroyed nearly every building in Road Town . The fire spread because of angry rioters protested an increase on the cattle tax . Rioters eventually set fire to most of the plantations across the island . </P> <P> On 4 September 2017, The largest and strongest hurricane in history, Hurricane Irma, hit and devastated the island leaving behind multiple casualties in the aftermath . </P>

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