Take this tour past the coaling docks with a brief stop on Main Street and the Catholic Church to see for yourself. 🎥
DANISH West Indies
How Panama Hats Became So Popular ~ 1913
The “Tourist Day” line of postcards was a novel idea in the Danish West Indies! They were produced to show visiting traveler’s the island’s beauty and various offerings. During the early 1900s, steamers like the Victoria Louise and the Megantic brought tourists to the islands in record numbers. When they came ashore, enthusiastic vendors guided them through their eclectic line of postcards, hats, craftwork […]
How Strength and Perseverance Gave Coal Carriers a Memorable Legacy
Women have been supporting their families since the beginning of time with incredible sacrifices. Under the Danish flag, they earned a small stipend as seamstresses, laundresses, market sellers, and straw weavers. However, there was one enterprise that exhausted their mental and physical strength above all others! As ships from every nation stopped in St. Thomas to […]
The Thrills and Dangers of Animal-Driven Carts ~ 1906
Before automated vehicles commanded the streets, horse carts, donkey carts, oxen and mule carts filled the narrow, dusty roadways delivering much-needed supplies. Types of Carts There was the milk cart, water cart, sugar cart and more, each with a designated function. Because of the sometimes erratic behavior of the animals, there was more than a fair […]
How the Coaling Women Persevered ~ 1907
One of the unique scenes on Hassel Island was the line of women who served as coal carriers or coal porters on the coaling dock. The baskets of coal averaged 80 to 100 pounds, yet these coaling women carried them on the tops of their heads without steadying them with their hands. Here’s an interesting […]
Early St. Thomas Panoramas ~ 1850s
An Early St. Thomas Panorama By Dr. Dante Beretta There are two old Danish West Indian photographs available at the Danish Maritime Museum that are some of the oldest photographs extant from St. Thomas. Taken at the same time, these daguerreotypes were meant as a panorama featuring the town of Charlotte Amalia and the harbor […]
Pot Sellers of St. Croix ~ 1907
This is a wonderful image featuring the types of cooking pots used in the islands ~ 1907 It was captured by Mrs. Emilie Langkjaer who moved to St. Croix with her family in 1898. Many of her photographs became popular postcards. Her husband was Chairman of the Board for the St. Croix Hojere Skole in Frederiksted. […]
Early Image of the Creque Marine Railway ~ 1912
The Railway This is an early photograph of the railway at Hassel Island. The Creque Marine Railway was kept very busy after the Hurricanes in 1916 and 1924. Click this link for a quick view of its history and some of the vessels repaired there. SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave