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 […]
Maritime History ⚓︎
Follow Along as the YAKABOO Island Hops Through the British Virgins ~ 1911
It was Thursday, June 22nd, the Coronation Day of George the Fifth, when a little sailing canoe anchored in the pretty harbor of Tortola! 🇻🇬 He had just arrived from visiting Saba Island in the Dutch Antilles. The skipper, no stranger to the West Indies, went ashore to announce his arrival and was welcomed warmly by […]
Repairing the EL CARIBE by Hand ~ 1937
In 1937, this huge oil tanker hit a coral reef near Saona Island off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic! A portion of the hull was badly damaged and needed immediate repairs. Repairing the El Caribe Being one of the few railways capable of lifting the 226-ton tanker, she made her way to the Creque Marine […]
Finding a Few Photographs and Invoices Keeps One Schooner’s History Alive ~ 1920
During the 1920s, the schooner, Zurah was captained by the beloved Samuel Sewer. His vessel was an important link in the inter-island trade. When repairs were needed, she was brought to the Creque Marine Railway. There, her dimensions were recorded as 50 feet in length by 15 feet wide. Selling the Zuhrah In December 1922, the Zuhrah was sold to Mr. Antonio Cesin and Carlos […]
Find Your Family on this 1918 Passenger List!
During the early twentieth century, sailing vessels were the lifelines for island residents. Below are the stories of some of them and their tragic fates. 📚 1912 – SYRIA 1916 – SPIDER 1920s – EAGLE 1923 – LA GRACIA 1930s – TO WINDWARD 1930s – FANCY ME The Courageous Captain Sewer The Danish sloop, Irma II carried mail, supplies, and passengers as far […]
Here’s a Glimpse of an Ill-Fated Schooner Before She Sunk ~ 1921
The Schooner, Gaviota Today marks the 95th anniversary of the hauling of the ill-fated schooner, Gaviota at the Creque Marine Railway. This beautiful, three-masted, trading schooner was built in Cataño, Puerto Rico by Guillermo Valello in 1920. Designed for the inter-island trade, she was captained by Juan Cruz. On this day, she made the 100-mile voyage for repairs at Hassel Island. Gaviota’s Fate […]
How Pencil-Written Notes and Photographs Preserved Schooner’s History ~ 1920
The Meteor Today marks the 96th anniversary of the arrival of the vessel, Meteor, at the Creque Marine Railway. Sailing over one hundred miles, Captain Prince brought the schooner to Hassel Island to utilize its maritime facilities. As she has hoisted up the ramp, her dimensions were quickly recorded, 75 feet by 25 feet. Today, those pencil-written notes and rare photographs are the only evidence to her size […]
How One Brave Captain Touched the Hearts of Many As He Sailed Around the World ~ 1932
alt=”Sailing around the world! Captain Harry Pidgeon of the ISLANDER visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1937 By Valerie Sims” width=”638″ height=”536″ /> Do you love old photographs? I’m fascinated by them and have spent a lifetime trying to figure out who was who in my ancestor’s albums. I was intrigued by this photograph […]