The Swedish American liner, M/V Kungsholm, looked like one of the largest ships in the world when it was anchored in tiny Caneel Bay. She was gigantic! Maybe because this was the first time in the history of the islands that a luxury ocean liner visited both the island and a US National Park. Filled to maximum […]
Maritime History ⚓︎
The Mystery of the Missing Crew in Anegada ~ 1921
Ocean Mysteries Tales of finding floating ships with sails fully set and no one on board have added to the bewildering mysteries of the sea. Interestingly, they are not as rare as one would imagine. The Marie Celeste A classic instance, of course, was that of the American merchant ship, Mary Celeste. In 1872, this well-manned […]
5 Distinctive Features of a Tortola Sloop ~ 1957
Tortola Sloops Did you know that the true origins for the design of the Tortola Sloop are a mystery? According to Professor Edwin Doran’s research, there are 5 distinctive features of a Tortola Sloop. ~ 1957 ⚓ First is the absence of a bowsprit. ⚓ Second is the shape of the mainsail. It was called […]
Remembering the RMS Rhone ~ 1867
Remembering the Rhone One of the most tragic hurricanes to ever befall the British Virgin Islands happened 151 years ago. The year was 1867. My great-great-grandfather was 9 years old. His name was Henry Osmond Creque. Six of his siblings along with his parents were huddled together for safety in a cramped, two-roomed cottage. It […]
Message in a Bottle Found on Virgin Gorda Beach! ~ 1833
Imagine walking along the beach and noticing an odd-shaped bottle still sealed and never opened! 🍾 Almost 200 years ago, a young boy discovered such a bottle on a beach in Virgin Gorda. Young James McDonough must have been thrilled by his discovery when he realized the mysterious bottle had its contents intact. The Message Opening the bottle […]
The Beautiful Boston-Built Schooner, GITANA anchors in the Harbor ~ 1899
Schooner, Gitana Have a glimpse at one of the prettiest yachts to visit the Danish West Indies. 🔎 Gitana was a wooden-keeled schooner, designed and built by D.J. Lawlor of Boston in 1882. Her owner, William F. Weld was a Harvard Graduate and Commodore of the Eastern Yacht Club in Massassachussets. Cruising Through the West Indies Gitana sailed amongst […]
New Book Launched, Twice She Struck, The Story of RMS RHONE
New Book Launching I recently attended a fascinating presentation on the launching of a new book about the fate of the RMS RHONE ~ 1867 Congratulations to Dr. Mitch Kent on a well researched and beautifully presented timeline of actual events that occurred before and after the Rhone’s demise off Salt Island. Spent the day […]
The Yacht, Diablesse Visits St. Thomas ~ 1914
#OnThisDay in 1914, one of my favorite authors sailed into Charlotte Amalie harbor. Captain Frederic A. Fenger, was an adventurous explorer with several Caribbean books to his credit. Books About the Virgin Islands One of my favorites was his 1926 novel, “The Cruise of Diablesse”. He also wrote Alone in the Caribbean which chronicled his […]