On December 20, 2004, Doris Jadan, our good friend and neighbor, passed away. I had the opportunity to visit her gravesite recently. ✟ Doris started the Environmental Studies Program at Julius Sprauve school and wrote many cookbooks and natural history books about the island of St. John. She was an environmentalist teacher, author, and journalist […]
US Virgin Islands
How Derrick Barges Help the Maritime Industry ~ 1933
The September 1932 hurricane wreaked havoc on the maritime industry in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Boat owners were writing to the owner of the Creque Marine Railway to reserve space at the slip. It was shaping up to be a busy season for them. One such letter Mr. Creque received was […]
The First Public Library Opens ~ 1920
For generations, many citizens longed for a public library in the Virgin Islands! With the generous help of the Red Cross, the first public library opened its doors on December 10, 1920. The opening ceremony took place at the Bethany Mission House. Afterward, the congregation walked over to the Grand Hotel (Top floor) to see the […]
A Visit from the Pan American Goodwill Flyers ~ 1934
As I was flipping through an old family album, this photograph of an African-American man wearing a captain’s hat and a dark blazer caught my eye. The children seemed enamored with him and I wondered who this mysterious captain could be? As I turned the photograph over, hoping to find my answer, I was disappointed. Nothing was written on […]
Thrilling Experience Touring A German Cruiser ~ 1932
The Karlsruhe was launched in 1927 and carried 635 men including 30 officers. Photo Source: U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command. Touring the historic cruiser, Karlsruhe was a thrill for many in the Virgin Islands! Our family was fortunate to have had a look inside the Malakka in 1914 and the Horst Wessel in 1938, among others. But in October […]
The Sinking of the Schooner, FANCY ME ~ 1926
Launching The Fancy Me The Fancy Me was a locally-built schooner that became infamous when she was lost in a hurricane with most of her passengers who were returning home to their families. It was one of the most tragic events that occurred in the maritime history of the British Virgin Islands. The schooner was built on Hassel […]
Fire Destroys the St. Thomas Telegraph Office ~ 1909
On this day in 1909, a horrific fire destroyed the iconic building which housed the Telegraph Office in St. Thomas! The fire alarm went off shortly after 5 o’clock in the morning and within an hour the building was totally consumed! The only remnants were the upper northwestern wall which had to be pulled down […]
Celebrating July 4th ~ 1930s
July 4th is the most significant day in the history of America!🇺🇸 Colonists from thirteen states, having outlined their list of grievances as to why they no longer wished to remain under King George III’s suppressive rule, created a new allegiance to form the United States of America. On this day in 1776, Congress officially approved the final text of […]