 By the 1650s, Barbados had become the first British West Indies colony to export cotton to England and Europe.What was called "Sea Island cotton" was cultivated on the Sea Islands, along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, especially by the late 18th century.Sea Island cotton commanded the highest price of all the cottons because of its long staple (1.5 to 2.5 inches, 35 to 60 mm) and silky texture; it was used for the finest cotton counts and often mixed with silk.