Vintage Stories from the Virgin Islands
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Hassel Island History, US Virgin Islands
Rare Pissarro Drawing from St. Thomas on Exhibit in London by Dr. Dante Beretta
Rare Pissarro Exhibition Stern Pissarro Gallery in London is hosting an incredible exhibition, “Camille Pissarro: Works from the Gallery Collection”, from […]
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The Little Sloop, SORA Sails to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1942
The Sloop, Sora This little yacht arrived at the Creque Marine Railway for service in 1942. She was a pretty […]
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Can You Name the National Flower of the US Virgin Islands?
Can you name the National Flower of the US Virgin Islands? It’s the Yellow Cedar! Sometimes it’s called Ginger Thomas, […]
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See the Damage to the Creque Marine Railway After Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Before Hurricane Damage The Creque Marine Railway is a special, historic property that first became a part of our family’s […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Rebuilding a Sunken Sailboat ~ 1916
The Schooner, Eagle Last year, I shared a fascinating story about the inter-island sloop, Eagle. Included were rare photographs of her crew […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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The Mail Schooner, VIRGINIA Visits ~ 1921
The mail schooner, Virginia was originally built in Curacao in the Dutch West Indies. She was one of the hundreds […]
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Big Job Pumping Out The Barge ~ 1930
In 1930, a potential client representing the United Sugar Company in Humacao, Puerto Rico, inquired about having the company’s barge hauled […]
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See the Four-Masted Schooner Before She was Destroyed by Fire ~ 1920
Our ancestors purchased many of their properties at auctions! They bought Cane Garden Bay, Carrot Bay, a portion of Peter Island and Norman Island in the […]
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Repairing the MAMIE COYLE ~ 1929
Photo Source: Memphis Public Library and Information Center The Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island provided hauling and marine repair services to […]
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Rare BAT FISH Captured off Hassel Island! ~ 1939
Have you ever gone fishing and caught something you’ve never seen before? In 1939, a family member found a fascinating […]
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This Schooner’s Photograph Became a Popular Postcard ~ 1912
After I saw this postcard online of a vessel at the Creque Marine Railway, I thought I would share a […]
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