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TWENTIETH CENTURY
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
A CHRONOLOGY
by Vernon W. Pickering
[International Copyright 1998 - All
Rights Reserved]
1901 - Entrance to Experiment Station, Road Town; the
tall palms are "Cabbage Palms", Oreodoxa oleracea,
the lower ones are Livistona chinensis. Experiments were
made to grow Sea Island Cotton, Sugar Cane, Coffee, Cocoa,
Limes, pineapples, cassava, mangoes and avocados
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¨ 1900 - The Colonial Department of Agriculture
purchases an abandoned estate of 160 acres near Road Town
and starts an Agricultural Experiment Station in an attempt
to revive a depressed economy.
¨ 1901 - The Legislative Council surrenders
its constituent powers,the administration of the colony
rests entirely in the hands of the Commissioner.
¨ 1902 - The Commissioner is assisted
by an Executive Council that functions as an advisory board,
consultations, however, are very sporadic.
¨ 1904 - Sombrero island is described
as part of the Virgin Islands in the Colonial Boundaries
Act.
¨ 1905 - A savings bank for farmers starts
operation in Tortola.
¨ 1911 - Agriculture's revival gives some
hope for the economy; exportsand revenue have doubled since
1905.
¨ 1916 [October 9] - a severe hurricane
hits the British Virgin Islands causing many deaths and
destroying a large number of buildings on every island.
Proposals of amalgamating the BVI with St. Kitts-Nevis are
rejected.
¨ 1917 [March 31] - the Danish West Indies
(St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) become the Virgin
Islands of the United States.
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¨ 1919 - A few liquor shops open up in Road Town to profit
from the Prohibition in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. Major H.W. Peebles is appointed Commissioner of the
Virgin Islands.
¨ 1920 - Cotton cultivation, which had been revived in 1918,
reaching almost 50,000 pounds receives a fatal blow with an infestation
of the pinkboll worm. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, who later on
will become King Edward VIII, pays an unofficial visit to the
islands and takes photographs.
¨ 1922 - a two-room hospital is opened in Road Town, later
named "Peebles Hospital in honour of its founder. A peasants,
Agricultural Bank is inaugurated with the object to provide small
loans. The bank is the first organised effort in the finance sector
provided by BVIslanders for BV Islanders.
¨ 1923 - after the cotton debacle an attempt is made to grow
tobacco. The experiment is successful throughout the 1920's but
in 1930 another voracious parasite brings the industry to its
knees. Ownership of land by non Virgin Islanders is regulated
by the newly passed "Aliens Land Holding Ordinance.
¨ 1924 [August 28] - A ferocious hurricane hits the islands
followed by a tidal wave, twenty-five people die and many are
injured. The Cottage Hospital built by Major Peebles collapses,
Government House and many buildings are severely damaged, including
the Methodist Church which is virtually demolished.
¨ 1926 [January 5] - Fredrick Augustus Pickering dies; he
was the first native to administer the government between 1884
and 1887 when he was the President of the Virgin Islands.
¨ 1926 [January 31] - 17 British Virgin Islanders residing
in NewYork form the BVI Benevolent Association of New York Inc.
¨ 1926 [July 26] - The "Fancy Me, a Tortola schooner,
is lost on a voyage from Santo Domingo to Tortola. 59 of the 89
passengers perish.
¨ 1932 - Seven Cubs and twenty Scouts form the first Scout
troupin the colony; their leader is Carlton de Castro.
¨ 1933 - Sales of liquor plunge as Prohibition ends in the
US VirginIslands and Puerto Rico.
¨ 1935 - Christopher Fleming, a popular hero who, in 1890,
had ledan armed protest, dies. Cotton cultivation is introduced
once more.
¨ 1936 - The Bigelows-owned Guana Island Club is the first
attemptat attracting tourists to the British Virgin Islands. Guiding
is introducedto the BVI with the formation of a Company of 27
members.
¨ 1937 - The Executive Council now consists of two officials
and two non-officials; prior to this change its composition was:
two officials and one non-official.
¨ 1937 - Anegada-born soprano Gracita Faulkner begins to
study vocal technique; later on she will earn international fame
and appear in leadingroles in "La Traviata and "Faust
for the American Opera Guild.
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Anegada-born soprano Gracita Faulkner's performance was
reviewed by the New York Times as follows: "Miss Faulkner
made a favorable impression by her poised and charming stage
presence, her pleasant soprano voice and her musical taste
and intelligence...."
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¨ 1938 - Hope R. Stevens, a Tortolian who had become a qualified
lawyer in New York returns home; in due course a Civic League (a
movement for re-establishing representative government) is organised;
its officers are David G. Fonseca, Charlie W. Georges, J.R. O'Neal
and Howard R. Penn.
Sir Olva Georges and Lady Georges |
¨ 1939 - J. Olva Georges succeeds his father as a member
of the Executive Council of the Virgin Islands and is nominated
member of the General Legislative Council of the Leeward
Islands.
¨ 1940 - Instruction to censor local mail are issued
but the postmaster ignores them. Anegadians living in New
York and the USA form the Anegada Progressive League Inc.,
a benevolent organisation headed by president Herbert L.
Potter.
¨ 1941 - A Public Works Department is established.
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¨ 1943 - The first BVI public library opens its doors; and
secondary education in the form of a Senior School is introduced.
¨ 1945 - a mimeographed newspaper, "The Torch, makes its
debut.
¨ 1947 - H.R. Penn is sent to a Closer Union Conferencein St.
Kitts, where a resolution for an elected Legislative Council for
the BVI is passed. Implementation of the resolution is not carried
out. The islands express their desire to stay out of the proposed
Federation of the Windward and Leeward Islands. Ashford Waters is
the first president of the newly formed Virgin Gorda Mutual Society
Inc., a New York-based benevolent organisation.
¨ 1948 - The Social Inn, Road Town, opens its doors to tourists.
Adina Donovan returns home and assumes charge of the hospital (August
1).
¨ 1949 [November 24] - a demonstration march of over 1,500
persons demands the removal of Commissioner J.A.C. Cruickshank.
The leaders of the demonstration, T. H. Faulkner, I.G. Fonseca and
C.L. de Castro present a petition expressing the populace's grievances
and demanding freedom and democracy.
¨ 1950 [July] - the General Legislative Council of the Federation
of the Leeward Islands reconstitutes the Legislative Council of
the Virgin Islands which is to consist of four members elected by
a single (territory-wide) constituency. Candidates are required
to have income and property qualifications, and a literacy qualification
is required of voters. Two of the elected members are to serve on
the newly reorganised Executive Council, which acts solely as an
advisory.
¨ 1950 [December 5] - The restored Legislative Council is inaugurated;
the elected members are: I.G. Fonseca, H.R. Penn, C. deCastro, and
C. Brudenell-Bruce.
¨ 1950 - A public electricity supply system is inaugurated
supplying some 63 private consumers, some street lighting and Government
House.
¨ 1951 - Cooperation between USVI and BVI is enhanced by the
introduction of an Inter-Virgin Islands Conference. A new currency
called British West Indies Dollar (BWI$ or Beewee Dollar) is introduced
but generates discontent and confusion.
¨ 1952 - The Public Works & Communications, and the Trade
and Production committees are formed, each headed by an elected
member serving on the Executive Council.
¨ 1953 - Tourism is seen as a way to revive the economy, a
Hotel Aid Ordinance is passed. The Hammersley-owned Fort Burt Hotel,
in Road Town, opens its doors. The embryo of the August Festival
is planted when a committee to observe Her Majesty's Coronation
with special celebrations is established.
¨ 1954 - The Constitution Act of 1950 is replaced by the Constitution
and Elections Ordinance 1954, which establishes a new Legislative
Council with an elected majority, the presidency is divided into
five districts. The Road Town district is to elect two members while
the other four districts will be able to elect only one representative.
¨ 1956 [July] - The Federation of the Leeward Islands is dissolved
and the Virgin Islands is again a fully-fledged colony. The Commissioner
is redesignated as Administrator. The tiny island of Sombrero passes
under the control of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla.
¨ 1956 - Work at the Long Bush Power station begins. A new
flag is adopted, it consists of the Union Flag with the badge of
the colony in the centre. The BVI Branch of the British Red Cross
is born.
¨ 1957 - General elections bring new faces to the Legislative
Council, among them are H. Lavity Stoutt and Ivan Dawson.
¨ 1958 - Sea View Hotel opens its doors. Catholics found the
Parish of St. William in Road Town.
1908 - Interior of St. George's Anglican
Church, Road Town
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¨ 1959 - The Tortola Times, the first newspaper in
the islands begins publication. More internal autonomy is
demanded and a delegation is sent to London. The US Dollar
becomes the legal tender in the British Virgin Islands.
¨ 1960 - The Office of Governor of the Leeward Islands
(based in Antigua) is abolished, and the Administrator of
the Virgin Islands, formerly Commissioner, is vested with
the powers of a Governor. Treasure Isle Hotel opens its
doors. Primary Schools see the introduction of a new curriculum.
¨ 1960 [March 3] - H.R.H. The Princess Royal visits
the BVI.
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¨ 1960 [October] - Arthur M. Swain arrives in the BVI
to manage the public telecommunications system; in 1962
he will establish a wireless telegraphy link between BVI
and Antigua.
¨ 1960 [29 December] - The first cruiseship ever to
visit the BVI, the "Meteor, glides into Road Harbour
with 115 passengers from NewYork.
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1953 - Coronation Celebrations,
Market Square
ALL
THE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS IN THIS CHRONOLOGYARE UNDER INTERNATIONAL
COPYRIGHT
- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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¨ 1961 - The BVI government ventures into an organised promotional
programme to boost tourism. The equivalent of today's BVI Tourist
Board is initiated under the name of Tourist Association. First
Pennsylvania Bank opens a branch in Road Town. "Little Denmark,
one of Tortola's early tourist oriented shops, opens its doors.
The National Parks Trust comes into being, it is the first such
trust in the Eastern Caribbean; it is the resultant of land donations
by Laurance Rockefeller. The BVI Radio League is founded.
¨ 1962 [23 June] - Carlos and Esme Downing publish the first
issue of The Island Sun; the newspaper replaces The Tortola Times
which had ceased publication on 22 November 1961.
¨ 1963 - The Legislative Council is presented with the first
million-dollar budget. A new primary school at Meyers is officially
opened. St. Mary's Anglican School at The Valley, Virgin Gorda,
is completed.
¨ 1964 - A plebiscite on the question of merger between the
US and British Virgin Islands is suggested but not acted upon. The
tourism industry gains momentum as the exclusive tourist resort
of Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda, is inaugurated. Laurance Rockefeller
is said to have invested US$8 million in this venture. Cable &
Wireless carries out a survey in order to plan the upgrading of
the BVI's telecommunications links. H.R.H.Princess Alice visits
the territory. The Education Department is re-established in August,
and a superintendent is appointed to begin duties in January1965.
¨ 1965 - The first radio (ZBVI) starts operations on Tortola.
Constitutional Commissioner Dr Mary Proudfoot spends three weeks
in the BVI investigating the potential for constitutional advancement.
Barclays Bank opens a branch on Main Street, Road Town.
7 March 1961 - Visit by Lord Hailes,
Governor General of the Federated West Indies; he is met
by Capt. G. Bryan, Administrator of the BVI
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1966 - Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visit
the BVI [ 23 February]. On this occasion the Cottage Hospital
is renamed Peebles Hospital. BVI legislators go to London
for a Conference on constitutional reform. Cable & Wireless
set up their Caribbean headquarters in Tortola. Under the
leadership of Conrad Maduro the United Party is formed.
¨ 1967 [February 27] - The Royal Virgin Islands Police
Force is established; prior to this development the colony
was served by the Leeward Islands Police Force.
1967 [April] - The New Constitution comes into ¨ effect;
the Administrator, whose title will be changed to that of
Governor in 1971, retains responsibility for external affairs,
internal security, the civil service, the administration
of the courts, and finance. The Legislative Council consisting
of, one Speaker, two "ex-officio members, one member
nominated by the Administrator and seven members elected
by single-member constituencies (districts) is now operating
under the Ministerial System headed by a Chief Minister.
H.Lavity Stoutt is appointed as the first Chief Minister
of the colony - a post he will occupy again in 1979-83,
1986-1990, and 1990-95. The Bank of Nova Scotia opens a
Branch in Road Town.
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¨ 1968 - 80 percent of the island of Anegada is leased
to a British developer. Chase Manhattan Bank (N.A.) opens
a branch in Road Town. Comprehensive secondary education
is introduced and the BVI High School is officially opened.
The Port Purcell facility for ocean going vessels is inaugurated.
The Virgin Islands Secondary School celebrates its 25th
anniversary. This is also its last year. The new BVI High
School is opened.
¨ 1969 - The Ministerial System has its first serious
test over the leasing of Wickham's Cay and large portions
of Anegada to a British developer. The lease had been signed
a few months before the introduction of the Ministerial
System by then Administrator Martin S. Staveley. The scheme
was designed to confer privilege on British entrepreneurs
and expatriates. The Positive Action Movement - a pressure
group headed by Noel Lloyd and Walter (Lindy) deCastro -
becomes openly opposed to the scheme. As a result a Commission
of Enquiry is appointed to investigate the matter. Cyril
B. Romney is the first native to become Financial Secretary.
The Beef Island Airport is officially inaugurated. "The
Moorings - a yachting operation - is launched; in the three
decades ahead it will become a multi-national industry with
branches all over the world. The Rotary Club of Tortola
is launched.
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Developer Kenneth Bates, described by the British press
as "a man with the Midas touch", planned to develop
Anegada and Wickham's Cay
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¨ 1970 - The findings of the Commission of Enquiry into the
Anegada-Wickham's Cay affair are disquieting. New schools are built
and opened at Cappoons Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Sea Cow's Bay, Baughers
Bay, Jost Van Dyke and North Sound, Virgin Gorda. The North Sound
educational facility is named the Robinson O'Neal Memorial School.
¨ 1971 - The Anegada-Wickham's Cay controversy is settled as
the British government disbourses $5.8 million for the local government
to acquire the interests of the Anegada Development Company and
the Wickham's Cay Company. The honour of Knight Bachelor, an honour
which has never before nor since been awarded to any British Virgin
Islander, is conferred on James Olva Georges. Willard Wheatley,
a former headmaster and high-ranking civil servant, becomes the
second Chief Minister of the BVI. The first BVI stamp club is launched.
Air BVI begins operations. The USVI-BVI Friendship Day is celebrated
for the first time (Tortola, October 21). H. Lavity Stoutt becomes
the founder of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
¨ 1972 [March 8] - H.R.H. Princess Margaret visits the BVI.
¨ 1972 [May] - The Legislature establishes a Constitutional
Committee but the initiative leaves the public indifferent. Norwell
E. Harrigan, a former Chief Education Officer and senior civil servant,
is the first native to receive a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree
from the University of Pittsburgh. Local airline, Air BVI, inaugurates
its flights to Puerto Rico (July 1st). The Lions Club of Tortola
is formed. New schools open at Long Look and Anegada. Fort Charlotte
Children's Center is established.
¨ 1973 - H.R.H. Prince Charles, pays an unofficial visit to
the BVI. The first modern coinage of the BVI is issued, the coins
however do not circulate in the territory and are marketed to collectors.
Local coinage, however, dates back to 1800. The Sea Cow's Bay School
is renamed the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School.
¨ 1973 [March] - A large demonstration to show public opposition
to the Governor's exercise of his powers in commuting a death sentence
is staged. This leads to a petition being forwarded to London calling
for the Governor's removal and for a constitutional review. The
petition is rejected by the Secretary of State (FCO) but a constitutional
reviewis indeed carried out by two commissioners in November.
¨ 1974 - The Development Bank of the Virgin Islands is established.
Government undertakes to pay salaries of teachers.
¨ 1975 - The Government appoints the Wickham's Cay Authority
for the purpose of developing the area. The Labour Code comes into
effect.
¨ 1976 - Sir James Olva Georges dies, he is honoured with the
first ever BVI state funeral. Cable television is introduced. The
Road Town Infant School (now Enid Scatliffe pre-primary) and the
Carrot Bay (now Isabella Morris) primary school are opened. Tortola
is the venue for the annual meeting of the British Caribbean Philatelic
Study Group, the event marks the staging of "Tortopex the first
stamp exhibition held in the territory. Chief Nursing Officer Adina
Donovan retires, in 1986 a home for the elderly will be named in
her honour. The New Road Town Infant School is opened, it is the
first infant school in the territory. The Carrot Bay Primary School
moves from the Methodist Church into a spacious new building.
¨ 1976 [May 8] - The Island Sun publishes an editorial stating
that the people of the BVI do not desire independence, but would
rather desire more emphasis on the economic and social improvement
of theterritory.
¨ 1977 - Amendments to the Constitution have the following
results: the Chief Minister acquires responsibility for the portfolio
of Finance; the territory's electoral districts are augmented from
seven to nine; the voting age is lowered to 18; and the Governor
is mandated to appoint an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative
of Mercy. Fires damage the Road Town and Belle Vue primary schools.
¨ 1977 [October 26] - H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke
of Edinburgh visit the BVI.
¨ 1978 [December] - The Electricity Department changes status
and becomes the BVI Electricity Corporation.
¨ 1978 - The Board of Education is replaced by an Education
Advisory Committee as a result of the new Education Ordinance. The
only governmental pre-school facility opens on Jost Van Dyke. The
Vocational Centre in The Valley, Virgin Gorda, is established to
accommodate students from Robinson O'Neal Memorial and St. Mary's
Schools, and students who ar eunable to attend the BVI High School
in Tortola.
¨ 1979 - The Social Security Scheme is approved and will become
operative in 1980. Financing for the extension to the Long Bush
Power Plant is approved. A Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare
is established under the name of Ministry of Social Services.
¨ 1979 [March] - Eileene Parsons becomes the founder of the
Heritage Dancers. 1980 - A Cultural Centre named after its benefactor,
Sir Rupert Briercliffe, is built and inaugurated. Modern facilities
for Peebles Hospital become a reality. Charles Wheatley is ¨the
new Chief Education Officer; the Carrot Bay Primary School is renamed
the Isabella Morris Primary School.
¨ 1981 - Former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife visit
the BVI. The St. Phillip's School at Baughers Bay is named after
educator Alexandrina Maduro.
¨ 1982 - A new educational facility in The Valley, VirginGorda,
is officially opened and named the Bregado Flax Educational Centre.
It accommodates both the primary and secondary divisions under one
administration. The school also absorbs the students of the Vocational
Centre.
¨ 1983 - A new Road Town Primary School is officially opened
and named the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.
¨ 1984 {August] - The Legislature approves the International
Business Companies Ordinance paving the way for the BVI to become
one of the best offshore financial centres in the world. By 1998
the offshore financial sector will contribute 50 percent of government's
revenue, becoming a twin-pillar with tourism for the the local economy.
Olympic Games are held in Los Angeles, the BVI makes its debut on
the Olympic scene.
¨ 1984 - The old Road Town Primary School is completely destroyed
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