The wait is over: Chosen from more than 305 suggestions, officials at the Public Works Department said Monday they had landed on a name for the boat soon to be ferrying passengers between St. Thomas and St. John.
The ferry-naming committee chose Spirit of 1733 — a name that reflects St. John’s unique history, as well as the islands-of-seven-flags’ resilience and will for self-determination.
In 1733, enslaved people on St. John broke their bonds, rose up and overthrew their captors, essentially taking complete control of the island away from European powers for the first time since both the Spanish and British claimed it in 1672.
“Considering the majority of the top names were related to the rebellion and the concept of freedom, the commissioner felt this name was the most fitting,” said Public Works Public Information Officer Markida Scotland.
The revolt was led in part by a Akwamu woman known as Breffu, often now called Queen Breffu. The uprising is known as the 1733 St. John Slave Revolt or the Akwamu Insurrection. Both Breffu and Queen Breffu names were very popular with the public, and the naming committee, Scotland said and rounded out the top three finalists with Ginger Thomas — the official U.S. Virgin Islands flower.
In total, 21 separate people wrote in suggesting Spirit of 1733, Scotland said — at least one of whom was a dedicated Source reader who wished to remain anonymous. Criteria for the boat name was officially wide open, save for some well-reasoned guidelines from the U.S. Coast Guard, but Public Works Commissioner Derrick Gabriel hoped the name would reflect and project Virgin Islands pride.
In March, the Virgin Islands National Park and Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett unveiled a historic marker at Ram Head. The plaque told of the island’s recapture by the Danish, where 24 revolutionaries, including Breffu, took their own lives rather than return to bondage.
“It was really surprising. I think what helped was the commemoration ceremony from Stacey Plaskett,” Scotland said. “For St. John, this was fresh in their minds, which would explain why that and Queen Breffu were popular names.”
The new 300-passenger, 100-foot-long ferry could start service in Pillsbury Sound late this year or early 2025.
