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The maritime heritage of sailing in the Virgin Islands is a rich, 350 year history of innovation, perseverance, and heroics that is being celebrated and recalled in the construction of Endeavour II, a JVD 32 wooden sloop. Sponsored by the Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society and guided by its experienced sailors, this project rekindles awareness of the boat building and sailing prowess that were at the foundation of island life. Until the mid 1900’s when motor vessels became commonplace in the Caribbean, the islands were dependent upon sailing vessels of all sizes and their dauntless crews. The smaller, less populated islands were especially dependent upon locally built wooden sailboats and the skills of their boat builders. Honoring the Past Over the last 50 years, however, these skills for boat building and sailing have waned, and the heritage and heroics of past generations is fading quickly into the past. The Preservation Society, as part of its mission for preserving the environment and cultural history of Jost Van Dyke, has taken on the construction of Endeavour II to serve as a working flagship and platform for education of the island’s maritime heritage. In honour of the maritime heritage, local residents of the JVD 32 Design Team who sailed the traditional boats are advising on the design and assisting in its construction.
Education is an important part of the project. High school students will be building the boat under the guidance of our Project Director, an experienced local captain. Children, adults, and all visitors will have an opportunity to see first hand how a wooden boat is built using up-to-date methods right on Jost Van Dyke. Once launched in May, 2006 the boat will serve as an educational sailboat and a vehicle for demonstration to build further interest in the history of boating in the British Virgin Islands, the international haven for sailing in the tropics. Melding the Past and Present There are many ways to build a wooden sailboat, and there are several efforts underway in the BVI to capture the essence of traditional sailing. Our approach in building the JVD 32 is to build a wooden boat that exemplifies many of the lines and characteristics of the traditional boats but using modern methods for safety, capacity, sailing range, and durability in order to meet our goals for education and demonstration. Designed to be a ‘deep water’ vessel using modern methods ensures that Endeavour II will serve to educate and thrill all for years to come.
The Endeavour II is graced with a powerful lofty rig and a proud bow and sheer. Thirty-two feet from stem to stern with a 26 foot waterline, her bottom has the refined lines of a classic blue water vessel for performance and her scantlings are heavy and true to the tradition of a strong sea-going workboat. Intended for sail training, frequent exhibition and education, she will be fitted with an engine for safety and meet modern criteria for a safe and durable vessel. The Time is Now And, we are well underway. Design and construction began in early 2005 with donated funds, materials and administrative support over the past few years. JVD residents whose families depended upon sailing in the early 20th century are advising on the design and details. Now is the big push to build the boat for launching in May, 2006. We need your support! The Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society, a BVI not-for-profit licensed corporation, is the sponsor for the project providing management and direction for fund-raising. Your support to the Society, specified for the Endeavour II, will be carefully managed to ensure its proper use. Donations can be made in several ways. First, of course, financial donations pay for labour, and materials. Such donations can be specified for particular components of the boat, if desired. Alternatively, specific materials can be donated directly to the project with the guidance of the Project Director. You can contact the Society about the Sloop in several ways:
Corporate Sponsorships Encouraged! Please call us! Please note that donations to the BVI-based Society are not tax deductible. |
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Educating the Future
The Specifics of the JVD 32