Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1588
Spain loses claim to the islands when England defeats the Spanish Armada overseas.
England, France and Holland issue 'letters of marque' allowing privateers the right to
claim territory.
1665
The Danes claim St Thomas and follow up by building Fort Christian on the main
harbor. They build lots of pubs and name the colony Taphus, Danish for 'brew pub.'
1717
Danish planters drive the British off St John. The territory is now set - Danes west,
English east - with the Narrows Strait between St John and Tortola the border.
1733
St John's slaves revolt against oppressive conditions. They destroy plantations and
drive off the white gentry, but within a few years the cane-growing system is back in
place.
1760
The Cruzan Rum Distillery begins working its magic on molasses. There is no ba-
nana rum or 'diamond' label liquid yet, but the marketing department is working on
it.
1792
Plantation life is well entrenched by now. St Croix has 197 plantations and 22,000
slaves; 18,000 work in the fields. Sugarcane production soars. Windmills dot the
landscape.
1805
Tortola racks up exports of 2500 barrels of sugar, representing its peak in production.
The island's population is 1300 whites and about 9000 slaves.
1834
The English Parliament emancipates all slaves in the British colonies. Afterward,
many blacks leave Tortola for Trinidad, where a booming economy demands
laborers.
1848
