Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St Thomas Highlights
Kayak past twisted mangroves to a coral rubble beach with
Virgin Islands Eco-
tours
(
Click here
)
Shop for rum, pirate gear and fiery hot sauces in historic
Charlotte Amalie
(
Click here
)
Wine and dine in
Frenchtown
(
Click here
)
Slow to a leisurely pace on
Water Island
(
Click here
)
Pet sharks and feed stingrays at
Coral World Ocean Park
(
Click here
)
Quaff flaming drinks in funky bars in
Red Hook
(
Click here
)
Join the breezy fun and games at
Sapphire Beach
(
Click here
)
History
Christopher Columbus sailed by St Thomas in 1493. While he did not stop, the Spanish
adventurers and colonists who followed shortly thereafter did, and by 1555 they had totally
depopulated the island by kidnapping, murdering and driving off the indigenous Taíno and
Caribs.
After 1625 the nations of Europe became hell-bent on acquiring colonies in the New
World, yet while the English, Dutch and French fought over plums such as St Croix, the
Danes staked a claim on a forgotten piece of fruit, St Thomas.
In the 1700s, St Thomas became a community of merchants and traders that included
several nationalities and religions, with English, Dutch, Danes, Germans and Jews among
the mix.
On July 4, 1848, the schooner
Vigilant
arrived at St Thomas from St Croix with the news
that the Virgin Islands' Danish governor had proclaimed the emancipation of all slaves on
Danish territory. In the decades that followed, the island's economy evolved to meet mod-
ern shipping needs, establishing itself as a major coaling station for steamships.
Maritime commerce was still bringing sailors to the shores when the US bought the Vir-
gin Islands from the Danes in 1917. The Navy set up camp on St Thomas, and when it left
in the 1950s, the naval port facilities and former air base became the crucial infrastructure
for facilitating the flow of tourists to and from the island.
In 1989 Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc on the island. Then, in 1995, Hurricanes Luis
and Marilyn dealt a back-to-back blow.
