“A Brief Visit to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands” is the first part of a short 1930s film, In the Wake of the Buccaneers, produced by the Division of Motion Pictures for the U.S. Department of Interior. “A Brief Visit” highlights St. Thomas, promoting tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which the U.S. purchased from Denmark in 1916. The film begins with a luxury steam liner arriving at St. Thomas (00:17), where people take a small boat to the island’s capital and largest city, Charlotte Amalie. In Charlotte Amalie, tourists can ride a donkey (01:07) and visit Emancipation Park (01:21)—or Emancipation Gardens — where the proclamation freeing the slaves was supposedly read in 1848. Other highlights of the capital city include Lower Town (01:30), the old drainage system (02:11), the market (02:26) where locals buy and sell produce and other goods, and the Cooperative (03:10). Local women show off woven hats and bags, including the chapo hat (03:28). Other attractions include the beaches of St. Thomas and Lindbergh Bay (04:03). While tourists enjoy the sights of St. Thomas, locals restock the ships’ supplies (04:53), including baskets of coal needed to power the steam ships. North of Charlotte Amalie is The Drake Seat (06:01), which commemorates Sir. Francis Drake and overlooks the scenic Magens Bay. Back in Charlotte Amalie is Bluebeard’s Castle Hotel (06:38), overlooking the harbor. Here, tourists enjoy the hotel and its gardens (07:20), as well as sitting on the veranda and sipping on a freshly prepared Swizzle (07:50), the region’s famous cocktail. The film concludes with a steam liner departing St. Thomas, the “Gem of the Caribbean” (08:43).

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