Christiansted Harbor welcomed the Denis Sullivan back for its second year to St. Croix along with the World Ocean School, a Boston-based nonprofit that has been working in the U.S. Virgin Islands for eighteen seasons.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Denis Sullivan back,” President and Executive Director Eden Leonard said. “The community gave her such a warm welcome last year and we can’t wait to introduce her to even more of our supporters and friends.”
The Source was invited for a sailing trip on the Denis Sullivan with the new crew from the World Ocean School. As you enter the Christiansted Harbor the massive Denis Sullivan ship a replica of “The Great Lakes Schooner,” looks straight out of a pirate movie.
The crew, who is mostly female, master the ship effortlessly and encourages guests to take part in preparing for the sail. “Heave-ho,” they’d chant as the sail raises above the ship. Once the sails are up, a sunset sail of Christiansted begins. The friendly crew offers drinks for sail and a brief history of the ship.
If you ever took a sunset walk or drive in Christiansted town in the past, you may remember the red sails of the Roseway, a National Historic Landmark that has been coming to St. Croix for sixteen years. The Roseway is currently undergoing a preservation project at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
The Denis Sullivan has white sails and was built in 2000 and will welcome many students from St. Croix public schools. Students will participate in multi-day programs to learn how to take care of a wooden tall ship and raise the sails, all while learning team-building skills and seeing academics come to life. Crew members on board Denis Sullivan and the deckhand educators, provide lessons while underway.
While experiencing a Denis Sullivan sail, visitors can expect a trip back into the past with a remarkable trip, a history lesson, and a little workout if they so choose.
“This is going to be another fantastic season,” Leonard said. “We have so much to look forward to and we are so grateful to have such a supportive community here in St. Croix.”
To learn more about Denis Sullivan and World Ocean School, visit worldoceanschool.org.
