For what it's worth, I'll reply to this even though I'm not a sailor.. They likely sailed from Virgin Gorda through 'Drake's Passage'- this is the passage sailed by Sir Francis Drake in the 1500's. It is relatively protected passage between Tortola to the north and Cooper, Peter, Norman, etc, etc Islands to the south. Likely then between Tortola to the north and St. John to the south, then through Pillsbury Sound (the passage between St. Thomas and St. John) around to the south side of St. Thomas and into the harbor of Charlotte Amalie. Gorgeous sailing- if you have not been on a sailing trip here, I'd highly recommend it. The route is relatively protected, you're always in sight of land, and these folk were good sailors. For a map of the route see: http://www.howderfamily.com/travel/caribbean_ferry_map.html Also, if you want to get a sense for what sailing in the islands was like I'd recommend this book: White, Robb; Our Virgin Island Doubleday and Co., Inc. 1953. The author and his wife went to Tortola, sailed around looking for their own perfect tropical island, bought what is now known as Marina Cay and built a house. In the book he talks about the joys and pitfalls of sailing around the BVI in his small sailing boat. Lastly, I know a lady who lives on Tortola who is of the Creque family and I'd consider her the expert. I'll pass along your email to her on the chance you 2 have not communicated yet. Dante On Sep 17, 2010, at 2:00 AM, caribbean-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Sailing from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas (markoe)... > > About 300 years ago this month some of my Markoe-Crequi-Cunningham kin > sailed from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas to have their children > baptised. As this was in the midst of hurricane season I would like to > know what the passage might have been like - prevailing wind, > currents, etc etc. I'm not certain barometers were in general use > during this period and I suspect navigation charts were "iffy" at > best. > > If there are any sailors out there what would you expect if you were > to sail this route today? Possibly in a Bermuda-rigged sloop which is > one type they owned. Any guesses as to how long it would take? If you > left today would you feel safe having your wife and babies aboard? > > I suspect these folks were not "cream puffs"! Nor idiots! > > > End of CARIBBEAN Digest, Vol 5, Issue 109 > *****************************************