FLYAWAY!

ST JOHN:  UNCOVERED

PETER LOTHARIUS OXHOLM’S MAP OF SAINT JAN (ST. JOHN) 1780

Besides their normal daily charters, FLYAWAY offers an amazing excursion you will not want to miss experiencing the incredibly rich, diverse, and often unknown history of Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands.  FLYAWAY has been passionate about sharing with their guests St. John history for years upon years, voraciously learning all they could and are so excited to now blend their love for history with their love of the sea!  Join them for something different, something fun, something interesting, something deeper — SAINT JOHN: UNCOVERED!

THE EXCURSION

Throughout the course of the day, Flyaway will circumnavigate St. John on the 26 foot Glacier Bay Power Cat and venture through history as old as the Tainos (700 BC) to more modern history.  They will share with guests the sites of major events like the Saint John Slave Revolt of 1733 to little known interesting facts about the island.  From accounts of power struggles, an incredible slave rebellion, corruption, hurricanes, droughts, pirates, Tainos, shipwrecks, privateers, emancipation, occupations, Saint John’s position in comparison to the other islands, a varied economy, and so much more, there is an abundance of history on this small island…

BACKGROUND

Captain Colin has always been in love with history, it is just his way.  Colin lived on an all wooden 80-year-old gaff-rigged ketch, which he restored since 2005.  Colin’s wife, Leah, has always shared the same historical passion, and when they met, their shared love of the sea and history bonded them instantly.  From the beginning of their relationship, they have always read anything they could about St. John history.  Fast forward from many years ago to now, and their hobby turned into a passion and they are bringing it to other islanders and visitors alike. They lost the beautiful gaff-rigged ketch, Buxom, but they have taken on the restoration of another, S/V Breath.  Built on the East End of St. John, Breath was handcrafted, sailed and chartered by Dorothy and Peter Muilenberg for years. The owners who bought Breath from Peter and Dorothy wanted the best for the boat and knew they had lost Buxom. They also knew how much Breath and the Muilenbergs meant to Colin, as he had captained her for around a decade before FlyAway.  We are so thankful to be given Breath after losing our boat to Hurricane Irma and are excited to bring a traditional boat back to Coral Bay.

RESEARCH

Examples of some of Flyaway’s sources include published graduate work, Danish archives, local archives, local libraries, ships’ records, verified internet sources (for example:  Saint John Historical Society, VINP, Vintage Virgin Islands, and many more), public domain information, books, out of print books they have had to hunt down, personal interviews, personal records shown to them, and so much more.  Some of their information is information which will never be published but it is authentic information they are authorized to share with Guests.  They have no interest in perpetuating folklore or misinformation, as the accurate information is incredible on its own!

Check out their Listing and get in touch with FLYAWAY today to experience the beautiful history of St. John as you sail along enjoying the breathtaking views!

FLYAWAY!

ST JOHN:  UNCOVERED

PETER LOTHARIUS OXHOLM’S MAP OF SAINT JAN (ST. JOHN) 1780

Besides their normal daily charters, FLYAWAY offers an amazing excursion you will not want to miss experiencing the incredibly rich, diverse, and often unknown history of Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands.  FLYAWAY has been passionate about sharing with their guests St. John history for years upon years, voraciously learning all they could and are so excited to now blend their love for history with their love of the sea!  Join them for something different, something fun, something interesting, something deeper — SAINT JOHN: UNCOVERED!

THE EXCURSION

Throughout the course of the day, Flyaway will circumnavigate St. John on the 26 foot Glacier Bay Power Cat and venture through history as old as the Tainos (700 BC) to more modern history.  They will share with guests the sites of major events like the Saint John Slave Revolt of 1733 to little known interesting facts about the island.  From accounts of power struggles, an incredible slave rebellion, corruption, hurricanes, droughts, pirates, Tainos, shipwrecks, privateers, emancipation, occupations, Saint John’s position in comparison to the other islands, a varied economy, and so much more, there is an abundance of history on this small island…

BACKGROUND

Captain Colin has always been in love with history, it is just his way.  Colin lived on an all wooden 80-year-old gaff-rigged ketch, which he restored since 2005.  Colin’s wife, Leah, has always shared the same historical passion, and when they met, their shared love of the sea and history bonded them instantly.  From the beginning of their relationship, they have always read anything they could about St. John history.  Fast forward from many years ago to now, and their hobby turned into a passion and they are bringing it to other islanders and visitors alike. They lost the beautiful gaff-rigged ketch, Buxom, but they have taken on the restoration of another, S/V Breath.  Built on the East End of St. John, Breath was handcrafted, sailed and chartered by Dorothy and Peter Muilenberg for years. The owners who bought Breath from Peter and Dorothy wanted the best for the boat and knew they had lost Buxom. They also knew how much Breath and the Muilenbergs meant to Colin, as he had captained her for around a decade before FlyAway.  We are so thankful to be given Breath after losing our boat to Hurricane Irma and are excited to bring a traditional boat back to Coral Bay.

RESEARCH

Examples of some of Flyaway’s sources include published graduate work, Danish archives, local archives, local libraries, ships’ records, verified internet sources (for example:  Saint John Historical Society, VINP, Vintage Virgin Islands, and many more), public domain information, books, out of print books they have had to hunt down, personal interviews, personal records shown to them, and so much more.  Some of their information is information which will never be published but it is authentic information they are authorized to share with Guests.  They have no interest in perpetuating folklore or misinformation, as the accurate information is incredible on its own!

Check out their Listing and get in touch with FLYAWAY today to experience the beautiful history of St. John as you sail along enjoying the breathtaking views!