The Maritime History of the Virgin Islands: In this post, you’re going to learn a little information about the HMS Santa Monica, originally a Spanish frigate that hit a submerged rock off of Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands. She eventually sunk in Round Bay, St. John shortly after. Her tragic story adds to the […]
Disasters
Close Call for Two St. John Fishermen When Their Boat Capsized ~ 1908
Fishermen’s Boat Capsizes Two local fishermen swam for their lives using nothing but the buoys from their fishpots to stay afloat. It happened over a hundred years ago on a blustery, Saturday morning in September, in the midst of hurricane season. Between 9 and 10 am, Thomas Rymer, and his friend, Alexander Benjamin were out […]
The Loss of the Dutch Galliot, DETROOP off Anegada ~ 1851
Dutch Galliot, Detroop Wrecks Anegada, the flat, drowned island of the British Virgin Islands claimed countless wrecks over the years. The island’s reputation was notorious! Copious reports spoke of the “wreckers” who inhabited the island and preyed on the helpless victims who hit the surrounding reef. In 1851, the loss of another vessel was reported, but it appeared […]
The Loss of the Virgin Gorda Sloop, PERSEVERANCE ~ 1912
The Loss of the Sloop, Perseverance So many boats have been claimed by the sea that it’s impossible to document them all! Here are some I’ve researched and written about that sank tragically: The Syria, Pride of Tortola, RMS Rhone, Kite, the Faith, Come Back, Spider, Fancy Me, the Islander, the Edgewood, the Malakka, and To Windward. There’s even more that […]
A Military Funeral for a German Marine ~ 1914
Funeral Procession for German Marine Imagine having a loved one die overseas. It must have been tragic for the family to hear the news. Training Ship, Vineta The newspapers didn’t report the details, but apparently, a young apprentice whose last name was Loth, passed away aboard the training ship, Vineta. The usual ceremony given to naval seamen […]
Peter H. Thurland, A Jeweler of Distinction Passes Away ~ 1913
Peter H. Thurland Very rarely is a vintage photograph found with the name and profession of the subject in the picture! This image was discovered in the Royal Danish Museum’s collection in Denmark. Above is Mr. Thurland, a goldsmith and “much-respected citizen” from Christiansted, St. Croix. Goldsmith In 1907, he was commissioned to make and […]
What Happened to Little Asta Lawaetz ~ 1915
The Lawaetz Family The Lawaetz family lived in a beautiful, stately home in Estate Little La Grange on St. Croix. Carl Lawaetz, a Danish cattle farmer, purchased the property in 1896. He and his wife, Marie had seven children together shortly after their marriage, but only five survived to adulthood. One precious little daughter they lost […]
A Historical Account of the Slave Insurrection on St. John ~ 1733
Today marks the anniversary of one of the darkest days in St. John’s history. Below is an account of that fateful day found in a book entitled, A Historical Account of St. Thomas West India Islands by John P. Knox. The Slave Insurrection of 1733 By John P. Knox “A large body of slaves had […]