Frederiksted is both a town and one of the two administrative districts of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a grid-planned city, designed by surveyor Jens Beckfor, originally to 14x14 blocks but built 7x7 to enhance the island commerce in the 1700s. Fewer than 1,000 people live in Frederiksted proper, but nearly 10,000 live on the greater western side of the island. Christiansted (mid-island on the north) is about 30 years older, but commerce was limited by its natural, shallow protective reef. Frederiksted was built in the leeward side of the island (shadow of the wind) for calm seas and a naturally deep port. It is home to Fort Frederik, constructed to protect the town from pirate raids and attacks from rival imperialist nations and named after Frederick V of Denmark, who purchased the Danish West Indies in 1754.
Locals often call Frederiksted "Freedom City". This nickname has to do with the fact that the town was the site of the emancipation of slaves in the then-Danish West Indies. On July 3, 1848, freed slave and skilled craftsman Moses Gottlieb, also known as "General Buddhoe", led the uprising, organized slaves on St. Croix's West End plantations, and marched on Frederiksted. The emancipation of slaves was proclaimed on July 3, 1848, at Fort Frederik on the waterfront at the northern edge of Frederiksted by Governor-General Peter von Scholten.
Frederiksted is home to one of two deep water ports on St. Croix and is the sole port for cruise ships visiting the island. Passengers disembark at the Frederiksted Pier, where they may explore the town, enjoy the beaches, rent a car, or catch a taxi that to other points of interest on St. Croix. The other deep water port is at the South Port and includes the tank farm of the former Hovensaoil refinery and Renaissance Industrial Park. Several government offices occupy historic buildings in the town.
In the early 2000s, Frederiksted was briefly a port for Seaborne Airlines seaplanes, which are based in Christiansted.[1] Seaplane service ended after less than a year when a tropical storm damaged the port facility.
The town was destroyed by a labor revolt (known as "The Fireburn" because arson was utilized as a means of revolt) in October 1878, which was led by four Crucian female laborers. Frederiksted was restored during the Victorian era, as reflected in its architecture.
Modern Frederiksted operates at a slower pace than Christiansted, except for carnival in January and whenever cruise ships dock in its deepwater port. In recent years successful redevelopment efforts have begun to restore and revitalize this National Historic Site. The 2000 census population of the town was 732, and that of the larger sub-district was 3,767.[3]
Several companies[7] have drafted plans to refurbish and enhance the greater Frederiksted area. The Public Finance Authority retained Coastal Systems[8] to develop concepts for a waterfront park, beach, cruise pier, and other site improvements. Teams of land planners, engineers, and landscape architects met with local interest groups to develop plans for redevelopment of the area. Environmental regulatory surveys and permits were managed by the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Agency of the USVI. Phase I of the project was completed, which consisted of the reconstruction of the waterfront park while maintaining the historical facade representative of St. Croix's heritage. Natural stonework was used throughout the project site in accordance with the local architectural style.[9]
Phase II of the project will involve reconstruction of the community waterfront north of the fort and re-creation of breakwaters, reconstruction of Paul E. Joseph Stadium, and restoration of the beach, restroom facilities, retaining pond, utilities, parking areas, and soccer fields.
Volunteers, community, and art
Volunteerism is a big part of Frederiksted. Clean Sweep Frederiksted[10][11] engages volunteers in community cleanups, mural and garden projects, and other opportunities.[12] It also worked with the Artists Guild of St. Croix to install dozens of painted rum barrels as community trash bins.[13] The Artists Guild of St. Croix[14] has installed several murals and[15] paintings, and sponsors scholarships. Delta Dorsch, who was born in Frederiksted, wrote The Role of the Storyteller in the Preservation of Virgin Islands Culture (1999) and contributed to The Glory Days of Frederiksted (2004) about Frederiksted's culture.[16]
Climate
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Last update: Hurricane Bertha (2014) (March 2018)
Water temperatures are usually around 78 to 79 °F (25.6 to 26.1 °C) in winter and 85 °F (29.4 °C) in September. The waters are typically very calm, as Frederiksted is in the leeward side (shadow of the island's wind) with about a 12 inches or 0.30 metres tide.
The sunrise varies from 5:30 a.m. in summer to 7:00 a.m. in winter. Sunset varies between 5:40 p.m. in winter to 7:10 p.m. in summer. St. Croix does not use Daylight Saving Time. The ultraviolet index varies from 10+ in the summer and a maximum of 7 in winter.
Persistent 19-knot (35 km/h; 22 mph) easterly trade winds, moving from east to west across the island year round create a cool breeze.
Rainforests occur on the western side of St. Croix due to the topography featuring 1,400 foot or 400 metres peaks, which gather moisture from the trade winds. This rainforest climate is unique to the Frederiksted side of St. Croix.
Climate data for Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands
1989, Sept. Category 4 Hugo devastated ~85% of St. Croix, destroying the Old Frederiksted Pier
1995, Sept. Category 2 Marilyn caused severe damage to St. Croix, in particular to the Frederiksted side of the island and even more damage to St. Thomas.
1998, Sept. Category 4 Hurricane Georges affected 15% of the island's power grid, wind and wave damage.
1999, Nov. Category 4 Hurricane Lenny passes 21 miles south of St. Croix, 15-20' waves destroyed many beaches dumping 6.5 ft (2 m) of sand onto coastal roads about 100 ft (30 m) inland,[18] wind damage, and flooding/erosion.
^Service, US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather. "San Juan, PR". Srh.noaa.gov. Retrieved 26 August 2018.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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