Transfer Day

Transfer Day could have taken place years earlier, but due to the construction and funding of the Panama Canal, the United States Senate rejected negotiations.

Several European countries subsequently held the Virgin Islands, including France, Britain, Spain and lastly Denmark.

When the sugar industry became less profitable, the Danish West Indies continued throughout the 19th century to enjoy a commercial boom as a free port and as a coaling station for sailing vessels and paddle steamers.

The news was immediately telegraphed to New York, then cabled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, flashed by wireless to the cruiser Hancock in the harbor at Charlotte Amalie, and carried ashore to St. Thomas via rowboat.

There, Danish and American honor guards in white uniforms stood in formation on opposite sides of the parade ground before red-walled Fort Christian.

[5] Constantin Brun, a Danish royal administrator and merchant, was in Washington, D.C., on Transfer Day as representative of Denmark accepting payment for the Virgin Islands on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson.