The Danish revolution in 1848 freed the slaves. In 1796 a Jewish community developed and the synagogue that was built is the oldest synagogue in continuous use anywhere in the United States.įrom 1801 to 1815, the island changed hands between the British and Danish a few times. In 1691, the main settlement was renamed to Charlotte Amalie to honor of the wife of Denmark's King Christian V. Thomas eventually became the biggest slave market in the world. Plantations were established for sugarcane production and the first slave ship arrived in 1673 and St. Thomas in 1671, 6 years after their first attempt failed. Columbus sighted the island on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, but it took until 1657 until the Dutch West India Company established a post here. 1500 BC by the Ciboney people and later by the Arawaks and then the Caribs. Thomas has almost half of the population of the USVI. Thomas is the most populous of the three US Virgin Islands. Cruise ship passengers who want to get away from it all can take a taxi to some less crowded beaches or a ferry to St. Magens Bay Beach is one of the best beaches on the planet. It features beautiful beaches, turquoise water and lots of shopping. Thomas is a popular port-of-call for cruise ships. The information on this page and much more (google maps locations, more reviews, website links, etc.) is available in our Cruising the Caribbean Guide. Thomas and ensures that you will be Making Memorable Moments on a relaxing vacation in St. Thomas Purple Guide) provides information about the best things to do on a cruise to St.
This Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guide (St. BACKPACK AND SNORKEL TRAVEL GUIDE FOR A CRUISE TO St.