St Thomas, Virgin Islands—A Caribbean Beauty

Senior Sailor Says…

Like everything in life, there comes an end, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, marked the end of the West Indies Explorer Viking Sea Cruise my daughter and I embarked on ten days ago. We will sail into San Juan, Puerto Rico, and return to Texas tomorrow.

But today is today, and we are determined to enjoy our time on the island. Our first adventure was an included tour that took us all over the island: the “Scenic Island Tour and Mountain Top.”

History

Like other Caribbean islands, Ciboney tribes, the Taino or Arawak tribe, and the Caribs first settled here, as recorded by Spanish settlers in the late 1500s. Indian populations plummeted due to diseases brought by Europeans and other factors. These indigenous groups no longer exist in the Virgin Islands.

Discovery, credited to Christopher Columbus, in 1493. The island was left unguarded, and pirates took up residence.

In 1671, the Danish West India Company received its charter from King Christian V to occupy St. Thomas and islands that might be uninhabited and suitable for plantations. The Danish government supplied male and female convicts to work on the plantations. But convicts didn’t make good workers. Soon, colonists from other neighboring islands and enslaved Africans arrived to provide labor.

In 1680, there were 156 whites, and 175 Blacks working the 50 plantations.

Soon, Taphus (meaning beer houses or halls) was born. Eventually, it became named after King Christian V’s wife, Charlotte Amalie. When the governor gave licenses to residents to develop the area around the harbor, taverns quickly sprung up, as did seafarers who enjoyed Taphus.

Pirates again streamed into St. Thomas. Stories of pirates Blackbeard and Bluebeard are the most well-known.

In 1685, the Brandenburger Company established a slave trading business.

The early 1700s were a boom period. Sugar became the popular crop, and slave trading was on the rise. African enslaved people provided labor on the plantations. Traders from other islands came to St. Thomas to buy enslaved people. Between 1691 and 1715, the population of St. Thomas grew from 389 whites to 547 and 555 blacks to 3,042.

In 1754, the Danish Government took over the administration of the Virgin Islands, including St. Croix and St. John. The islands became crown colonies.

St. Thomas was made a free port in 1815. Charlotte Amalie flourished commercially with large and small importing houses belonging to English, French, German, Italian, American, Spanish, Sephardim, and Danish owners. Of the 14,000 inhabitants, many were free Blacks, and about 2,500 enslaved people worked on plantations. A substantial segment of free Blacks worked as clerks, shopkeepers, and artisans. The population and atmosphere were very cosmopolitan. On St. Croix, enslaved people revolted in 1848, prompting the abolition of slavery in the Danish West Indies.

Major natural disasters, including hurricanes, fires, and tsunamis, left Charlotte Amalie wanting major rebuilding. The old warehouses that once stored goods for trade are now shops that line the streets today.

The United States bought the Danish West Indies for $25 million. On March 31, 1917, the United States government flew its flag on the three Virgin Islands of America for the first time.

Touring the Island

I am very impressed with the route our driver/guide took. In addition to the historical narrative, he pointed out landmarks in Charlotte Amalie.
We frequently stopped to overlook the enchanting hills covered in emerald green trees and the fantastic sea with myriad shades of blue.

The highlight is Mountain Top, 2,100 feet above sea level, where we could see Magens Bay.

Also, there is a shopping area. Tourists can enjoy a locally produced rum or try the original banana daiquiri, invented here.

On the way back to the ship, you can ask the driver to drop you off in downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Another activity you may enjoy is the Skyride to the Top of Paradise Point. In addition to the breathtaking view of downtown Charlotte Amalie and the harbor, there are restaurants, a bar (home of the Baileys Bushwacker), local souvenir shops, and a Skywalk.

Whatever you choose to do with your day on St. Thomas, you are sure to have lifelong memories of this fantastic island.

Click here to learn about West Indies Explorer and other Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition ships and their itineraries.

 

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Admin
21 days ago

St. Thomas is such a pretty island!

Marilyn Jones
Reply to  DrFumblefinger
17 days ago

Yes, it is!! I enjoyed my explorations.

21 days ago

A grand cruise, beautifully captured in your photos.

Marilyn Jones
Reply to  Barry Barford
21 days ago

Thank you, Barry!

Admin
17 days ago

I think you’ve just put another place on my bucket list!

Marilyn Jones
Reply to  Paul Heymont
17 days ago

You will love it!

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