Proceed with caution: this brief little history lesson is one I have cobbled together from various personal stories, legends, and reading material. I cannot vouch for the veritable history I am going to tell, but it is a little enlightening and entertaining. If that is what you seek, please read on and enjoy!
Across the harbor from Charlotte-Amalie is Hassel Island, which used to be part of mainland St. Thomas. Back in the 1930′s, a trench was cut near Frenchtown to reach West Gregerie Channel to provide two ways in and out of the harbor. But in the 17thcentury when the Danish built a fort over on Hassel Island, there was only one way in and out, the Havensightside, where most of the cruise ships dock today. The Danes knew this, so they would wait for the pirate ships to sail into the harbor, laden with plundered treasure and other goods. The Danes ran a heavy chain across from the fort on Hassel Island to St. Thomas, thus trapping the pirates’ ships in the harbor. The vessels couldn’t leave the harbor because their hulls would get caught on the chain, and they were effectively sitting ducks for the Danish cannons.
There is estimated to be $800 billion in treasure at the bottom of St. Thomas harbor, due to the Danes’ cannons and various shipwrecks from weather and disaster. To give some idea of how vast a figure that is, President Barack Obama’s initial stimulus package for the United States had a $780 billion price tag. Unfortunately, nobody can get to all that booty. It’s under 18 feet of silt. Every time it rains on St. Thomas, everything that washes down from the mountains flows right out into the harbor, so the harbor floor is continually covered in layer upon layer of muck. Even the “super salvagers” like Mel Fisher from the Atocha fame of Key West can’t reach it, because they just don’t have the technology yet.
But, every now and then, a hurricane or tropical storm will disturb those layers of muck on the floor of the harbor, and we may find booty washed up on our shores and beaches. Not all of it is in gold doubloons, mind you, but it all has value. An intact bottle from the 17thcentury might well bring in a few hundred dollars. The tiny chip from a dinner plate found in a shipwreck in the harbor I wear around my neck cost $45.00, so be aware, that useless pottery shard, clay pipe, or what have you that you find while beachcombing may boast a hefty price tag, too. Happy Hunting!
Incidentally Water Island has one of the best beaches for weddings in the Virgin Islands. When planning on a St. Thomas wedding , inquire about Honey Moon beach on Water Island. The clear water and sandy beach make an ideal setting. Since Water Island is not connected to St. Thomas it does not have the heavy tourist traffic. A ferry makes the 5 min trip every hour to Water Island from St. Thomas Crown Bay Marina.
