Pan Am from Miami to VI: $115 round trip
On-StJohn.com reader Steve V. sends us this clipping from 1967 (click to see bigger), announcing Pan Am’s jet service from Miami to the Virgin Islands. Round trip fare: $115.
The clipping was a bonus find for Steve V.
“I bought the book “Isles of the Caribbees”, printed in 1966, which documents Carleton Mitchell’s journey through the Caribbean on his sailboat, Finnisterre,” says Steve V. “I picked it up at Half-Priced books for under $2…and the clipping was in the book when I bought it.”
The author was revisiting the islands 20 years after his first sail, and laments “The West Indies has changed [with] direct jet airliners to major islands only a few hours from New York, Paris or London, and shuttle planes on to the smaller cays. Fancy hotels. Hard to locate a deserted beach.”
The book only gives the Virgin Islands a couple of pages, but includes this 1966 picture of sunbathers at Caneel Bay.
March 31st, 2009 07:33
In 1971 Carlton Mitchell revisited the Caribbean and updated the Isles of the Caribees while traveling on his new vessel Sans Terre – it is also a great book especially when compared to the original Finisterre trip.
Mitchell was quite an avid sailor, won the Bermuda race with Finisterre, also wrote ” The Winds Call”, “Islands to Windward”,” Passage East” and other books on sailing.
As an interesting aside in the yachting world – a St Thomas resident has owned the only sistership to Finisterre for more than 30 years. She is the famous 1956 Sparkman Stevens designed “WINIFRED” and still is a working wooden boat moored in Red Hook and cruises the STJ waters daily.
March 31st, 2009 08:10
I’ve gotten many round-trip fares from St. Thomas to Ft. Lauderdale, on Spirit Airlines, for $18. These deals are too good to pass up!
March 31st, 2009 08:22
Here’s some interesting information about a tragic accident that occurred on April 27, 1976 at STT resulting in 37 deaths. The runway at the time was a mere 4,658′ long. Extending the runway to 7000′ was completed in December 1992 and the large hill on the eastern end has since been taken down considerably.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Flight_625
Prior to the runway being extended at STT, airlines typically stopped in STX or SJU before continuing to the mainland.
March 31st, 2009 10:45
I love this website! The history of S.T.J. is very interesting.By any chance could you ever do a filming of “Island Fancy” the former home of Ethel McCully.The home sits on a hill between Little Maho and Francis Beach.The park now owns “Island Fancy”. I would love to see what it looks like now from the outside and if possible the interior as well.Have a great day!Dan B. from Edwardsburg,Mi.
March 31st, 2009 23:15
I second the “Island Fancy” request! Had no idea her home was still there. Ethel McCully is one of the most interesting people in the book, “St John People”. Does anyone remember her?
April 1st, 2009 06:56
This article brought back some pleasant memories. In 1967 I made two life lasting decisions. First I bought a new Sunbeam Alpine (I still have it) and second, I made my first trip to St John–and since then look forward to at least one annual return visit.
Bob W (NH)