Well this is good news! The new ferry has arrived in the US Virgin Islands! It hasn’t been put into service yet, but I’m sure that will happen soon!
The new ferry – named Spirit of 1733 – holds 300 passengers, which is more than our current ferries. It arrived in the St. Thomas last week, per Government House. The Spirit of 1733 is a state-of the-art ferry that is ADA-complaint and has eco-friendly technology. It even has a dedicated space for luggage, so no more worrying about your bag getting drenched in a rainstorm.
Spirit of 1733 – The Historical Connection
Some of you who aren’t as familiar with St. John’s history may be wondering the significance of 1733. That year marks an integral part of St. John’s history.
Denmark settled St. John in 1718 and brought enslaved people from Africa’s Guinea Coast for the purposes of working the sugar plantations. A large number of those enslaved people came from the Akwamu tribe, a tribe that ruled present-day Ghana for decades. The Akwamu often traded with the Danes, selling their fellow Africans into slavery. Eventually the Akwamu was defeated and was sold into slavery themselves. Many were subsequently brought to St. John.
The Akwamu was a tribe that had numerous strong warriors, and those warriors eventually planned a revolt here in St. John. Led by King Kanta, King Claes, King Juni and Queen Breffu, the Akwamu entered a fort in Coral Bay carrying bales of wood. (This occurred at Fortsberg, which is the area of land on the east side of Coral Bay harbor.) The warriors acted as if they were initiating a normal delivery of wood, but once they were inside the mostly-unmanned fort, they branded cane knives and killed the soldiers who were present. The tribe moved plantation to plantation, killing colonists until they held most of the island. The 1733 Slave Insurrection was the first time that enslaved people took control of a colony. This was a major historical event, and it is remarkable that it took place in St. John.
The insurrection lasted nearly six months. The Danes eventually made a deal with the French, and troops from Martinique arrived to quell the uprising. The Akwamu fought, but could not hold off the forces, so they were left with few options. Rather than be recaptured and tortured, many chose suicide. In April 1734, a number of freedom fighters ritualistically took their own lives on Ram Head. A plaque now sits there to honor this integral part of St. John’s rich history.
Hopefully the new ferry will be put into service soon. I will let you know when that happens.
Win a Week at Monarch Cottage, A Brand-New Waterfront Rental – Proceeds to support the Animal Care Center & St. John Rescue
Explore STJ is holding a raffle! The cost is only $25 a ticket! Proceeds will be split between the Animal Care Center and St. John Rescue. Here is what you can win:
- A seven-night stay at Monarch Cottage – A brand-new, waterfront home with a pool & hot tub near Cruz Bay.
- A $500 VISA gift card courtesy of Explore STJ
- A sunset sail for up to six people with Island Roots Boat Charters
- A $100 gift certificate to Cruz Bay Landing
- A $100 gift certificate to The Tap Room
- A $100 gift certificate to The Windmill Bar
- A Trunk Bay puzzle courtesy of Explore STJ
This raffle has an estimated value of $8495! The raffle period will end on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9 p.m. AST. The winner will be announced on or about April 8, 2025.
You will receive one entry for every $25 donation you make.