Three ships from Denmark, including the tall ship Danmark, will call on the U.S. Virgin Islands to mark the centennial of the transfer of the territory from Danish to U.S control.
The boats will be open for visits by students and teachers, according to the news release announcing their visit.
The sailing vessels Svanen and Thyra are a pair of 60-foot Bermuda sloop-rigged international open-ocean racers that will compete in this year’s St. Thomas International Regatta Friday through Sunday, March 26. They are scheduled to be at Yacht Haven Grande Monday and Tuesday and will be open for visits from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Danmark is scheduled to arrive in St. Thomas March 28 and remain there until April 1, when she will sail to St. Croix. Danmark is a 234-foot training ship and international nautical ambassador for the government of Denmark. The schedule calls for the ship to be at Crown Bay and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 and 30, then in Christiansted, where the schedule for visits has not yet been fixed.
The Danish Government and Soren Blak, from the Danish Council, said the visits provide opportunities for students and teachers to visit and engage two very different types of vessels. While both types of vessels are designated warships, they are used almost exclusively to train young cadets to become professional sailors and officers.
Dates and times are subject to change, the organizers noted, urging those interested to watch local media for updates on the schedules.
Help in scheduling can be obtained by calling the V.I. Centennial Foundation or the 340 Group VI at 340-244-3590 or 340-513-8191.
I am anxiously waiting to read how many U S ships were invited to visit us to participate in the Centennial celebrations. After all, the U S of A rescued us from Denmark 100 years ago. We must never forget which side our bread is buttered on.
No one recused you from Denmark . We had almost no crime and every family had food with almost no money. You might be from down island or Tortola British Virgin Islands but not from one of the original peaple of Denmark in The Virgin Islands.
No, I am not like you, a slave masters son. No crime here you say? Slavery was and still is a crime against humanity which your people perpetrated in these Islands. They plundered, enslaved and murdered innocent people for over 240 years. You obviously know little about the history of these Islands or you choose to ignore it. Either way, count your blessings.
History shows that Denmark has the worst human rights record of all the European countries involved in the transatlantic slave trade. The treatment of the enslaved Africans was barbaric.They murdered innocent people at will using the most hideous means imaginable.
Again. Learn your history and count your blessings.