In her bi-weekly column, “State of the Territory,” former Sen. Janelle K. Sarauw delves deeper into issues of concern for V.I. residents.
In the colorful tapestry of history, names often hold within them tales of the past, whispers of bygone eras, and echoes of cultural legacies. Such is the case with Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of St. Thomas, which bears within its very name the essence of its spirited beginnings.
Back in 1666, when the Danish first set foot on the shores of what would become Charlotte Amalie, the landscape was adorned not with regal palaces or solemn monuments but with lively beer halls and taverns aplenty. The Danish, with their penchant for conviviality and appreciation for a good ale, affectionately dubbed the burgeoning settlement “Taphus,” a term that resonates with the jovial clinking of tankards and the hearty laughter of patrons.
But as time waltzed on and the winds of change swept through the island, a new moniker emerged, one steeped in regal elegance and royal homage. In 1691, in a gesture of reverence to King Christian V’s beloved wife, the town was rechristened Charlotte Amalie, a name that exudes grace and dignity yet still retains the faint scent of hops and barley in its syllables.
The transition from Taphus to Charlotte Amalie marked more than just a shift in nomenclature; it symbolized the evolution of a town poised on the cusp of greatness. Recognizing the strategic importance of its natural harbor, the authorities embarked on a journey of development, birthing anew the essence of Taphus in the form of a bustling port town. But no tale of Charlotte Amalie would be complete without a nod to its seafaring past, where the line between commerce and piracy blurred like the horizon at sea. Under the watchful eyes (or perhaps the winking approval) of the Esmit Brothers, St. Thomas gained notoriety as a pirate’s haven, a place where rogues and freebooters found refuge amidst the rolling waves and swaying palms.
Yet, amidst the clatter of cutlasses and the swashbuckling bravado, commerce thrived, albeit tinged with the stain of human suffering. The arrival of the Brandenburger Company heralded a new era, one marked by the grim reality of the slave trade. But even amidst the darkness, sparks of resistance flickered as conflicts with Danish hosts and rival companies painted a picture of struggle and resilience. And in a twist of fate worthy of the finest tales spun by buccaneers, a simple cartographer’s error transformed Charlotte Amalia into Charlotte Amalie, a testament to the whims of history and the quirks of linguistic evolution. Yet, regardless of spelling, the heart of the city beats with the same rhythm, a testament to its enduring spirit.
Today, as we stroll through the historic district of Charlotte Amalie, we are reminded of the richness of its past, where every cobblestone and every weathered facade tells a story. And amidst the echoes of clinking glasses and merry laughter, we raise our own in tribute to the resilient spirit of Taphus, the legacy of Charlotte Amalie, and the indomitable resilience of St. Thomas.
Oh, and about those misbehaving St. Thomians? Well, as the old joke goes, and as Crucians lightheartedly reminds us, “Of course, cause ayo was founded by pirates!” So, the next time mischievous whispers of piracy dance through the air and Crucians jest about the origins of their neighbors, let us join in the laughter, knowing that within the heart of every pirate lies the soul of a storyteller and within the soul of every town lies the spirit of its people. And in Charlotte Amalie, that spirit burns brighter than ever, a beacon of history, culture, and the enduring quest for adventure.
And let us NOT FORGET, amidst the revelry and the merriment, the gentle reminder that the correct pronunciation of the town’s name is actually Charlotte Amalia! Forgive the whims of history and the quirks of language, but let us embrace the true essence of Charlotte Amalie in all its glory.
Cheers to Charlotte Amalie, where every sip is seasoned with a pinch of salt and a dash of swashbuckling charm. Here’s to Taphus, where the ale flows as freely as the tales of old and where every corner holds a piece of history waiting to be discovered. Let us raise our glasses high and toast to the past, the present, and the timeless allure of Charlotte Amalie. Skål!
