Vintage Stories from the Virgin Islands
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Here are a few maritime stories you may like. Don't forget can get the latest ones delivered to your inbox.
The Maritime History of the US Virgin Islands
The Fate of the “Pride of Tortola” ~ 1966
The Pride of Tortola The Pride of Tortola was a 65-foot island schooner once owned by Rudolph Hodge. She was […]
The Yacht, Diablesse Visits St. Thomas ~ 1914
#OnThisDay in 1914, one of my favorite authors sailed into Charlotte Amalie harbor. Captain Frederic A. Fenger, was an adventurous […]
44 Ships Belonging to the North Atlantic Fleet Pass St. Croix ~ 1917
Imagine looking out to the horizon and seeing a flotilla of battleships coming into view. This happened in 1917 on […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sugarcane Laborers Return Home on a German Cargo Ship ~ 1912
During the summer of 1912, many seasonal sugarcane laborers from the British Virgin Islands, working in the Dominican Republic, returned […]
Tortola Sloop Caught With Contraband! ~ 1933
From 1920 to 1933, the US Virgin Islands was included in the nationwide ban during prohibition. Despite the law, many inhabitants imported […]
Carrying Cane Workers ~ 1917
Between 1914 and 1939, the Dominican Sugarcane plantations employed hundreds of seasonal cane workers from the British Virgin Islands! 🇻🇬 According to Canefields of the Dominican Republic, by Will […]
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 […]
Rare Photograph of the EAGLE at the Railway ~ 1920s
Ever wonder what the inter-island sloops were transporting below in their holds? Some may think it contraband and many times […]
A Few Lucky Residents Tour a One of a Kind Wonder Before She Sunk ~ 1914
Many generations of our family have loved touring the vessels that anchored off St Thomas. ⚓ Watching movies on the Carla […]
Servicing the USS RANGER at the Railway ~ 1925
Source: Library of Congress The USS Ranger In August 1924, a deadly hurricane caused severe damage to the homes on Tortola […]
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 […]
The Most Beautiful Ship in the World Visits St. Thomas ~ 1938
When I first saw this faded photograph of an ocean liner, I thought I would never know her identity. 📷 Like most of […]
How a Crew Survived their Ship’s Sinking ~ 1932
During the 1920s and 1930s, the yawl, To Windward transported mail and passengers between the islands. Its owner was Captain Christian Moller. On […]
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Interested in the maritime history of the BVI?
Here are a few stories ...
