Where is the historic sloop Vigilant? Gone in the trash!
Since the mid-1990s the boat in deplorable conditions with little or no attention paid to it was housed at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay on Tortola.
Then came Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and the shed where the sloop was kept, in the area next to the Applied Marine Science building was demolished, along with what remained of the wooden boat, that if you believe the history was built in 1882 by a Willie Penn.
Who to believe on the history of the Vigilant?
There were already growing debates by historians at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College along with local boat captains from the community and others from the region about the value of the Vigilant and the accuracy of its history.
Two College Board Members speaking to our newsroom on condition of anonymity said: “The sloop was thrown out a few weeks ago as part of the cleanup efforts of the college, and how come those who now see her value did nothing to restore or preserve the boat?”
Another board member said, “It’s much to do about nothing, the boat is gone and some senior members are playing politics to get at Dr Angel Smith who has challenged some of the so-called history being taught at the college.”
The Board member did not single out anyone. Dr Smith, the head of the Virgin Islands Studies Institute, was recently appointed by the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Board Chairman, Dr Charles H. Wheatley, to spearhead the restoration and cleanup of the college following the hurricanes of 2017 that demolished the college, leaving roofs off, windows and doors broken and many important documents destroyed due to flooding.
College has declined; Too much politics
Since 2014 the local community college, a statutory body, has been struggling with lack of funding from the Dr D. Orlando Smith Administration and enrollment, along with an exodus of locals.
The college a few years ago was moved from under the Premier’s Office and placed under the Ministry of Education and Culture where Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) is the minister.
Many claimed that was a bad move, as the college has now become political especially, in terms of senior appointments and Board Members.
In 2016, Hon Walwyn forced out college President Dr Karl Dawson, an indigenous Virgin Islander who spent some 24 years at the college in various capacities.
Currently, former HLSCC consultant and Board Member Dr Janet B. Smith, who is in her late 70s, has been interim President ever since.
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23 Responses to “Where is the historic sloop Vigilant? Gone in the trash!”
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I knew her as a sailing sloop in Sea Cows Bay.Never heard anyone said she was that old !
PTSD is on some of us but just my opinion.
Is there a doctor in the house?