Sources on trade and shipping in the Danish West Indies

Shipping facilitated the movement of enslaved labour from one part of the world (Africa), the production of valuable colonial goods in another (the West Indies, South America), and their consumption in a third (Europe).

From the outset, St. Thomas was a center for shipping and trade due to its large natural harbour, which is one of the best in the northern part of the Caribbean. The city evolved into a regional hub for long-distance trade, cargo, passenger transport, financial and practical services related to shipping and trade, as well as a key point for postal and telegraph services.

Glossary and registry

Use the glossary with explanations of the most important archival terms and concepts: Danish-English translations of archival terms.

Below are selected source groups that show various aspects of trade and shipping. However, sources on trade and shipping can be found in many other sources. In the registry, you can get an overview of all digitized records from local Danish authorities in the Danish West Indies:

When one of the Danish West India and Guinea Company’s large trading ships sailed from Denmark to the West Indies from 1671-1754, it carried a range of documents that can provide insight into life on board, such as the ship’s destination, passengers, diet, cargo, provisioning, accidents, and shipwrecks.

Documents from the Danish West India and Guinea Company’s ship expeditions are collected in folders (also known as “læg”) by ship name and year of the voyage.

The folders are arranged chronologically, and there are several folders per box. Folders marked (V) indicate voyages to the West Indies, while those marked (G) denote voyages to Guinea. However, ships to Guinea almost always returned via the West Indies. The folders contain a varied collection of documents such as ship logs, instructions, meal rates, crew rolls, invoices, and cargo lists.

The documents are typically written in Danish (Gothic), German (Gothic), or Dutch (Latin).

On the Company ships, officers kept various books containing information on nautical and navigational topics, such as weather conditions and sea routes.

The Books are organized by type, then by ship name and voyage in chronological order. Documents are mostly in Danish (Gothic), with some in German (Gothic).

Captain and First Mate Ship Journals

The captain’s and first mate’s ship journals provide nautical and navigational details, including:

• Wind Conditions: Records of wind speed and direction encountered during the voyage.
• Weather: Observations on weather patterns, such as storms, rain, and temperature changes.
• Routes: Documentation of the ship’s navigational routes, including coordinates and significant waypoints.

These journals offer a comprehensive look at the maritime conditions experienced during the voyage and can be crucial for understanding the challenges faced during sea travel in the Danish West Indies period.

Ship Assistant’s Ship Protocol

The ship’s protocol, maintained by the ship assistant, includes information on the daily operations of the ship and the expedition. It typically contains:

• Letter Copies: Copies of correspondence sent and received by the ship.
• Wage Book: Detailed records of wages paid to each crew member, including amounts and payment dates.
• Consumption Book: Accounts of inventory, provisions, and trade goods used during the voyage, tracking the consumption and replenishment of supplies.
• Trade Book: Records of trade transactions, including goods bought and sold, and their respective prices.

These records are vital for understanding the logistical and financial management of the ship and its operations.

Ship’s Doctor’s Sick Journal

The sick journal kept by the ship’s doctor provides:

• Patient Lists: Details of individuals who fell ill or were injured during the voyage.
• Treatment Records: Information on the treatments administered to patients, including medicinal and surgical procedures.

This journal is essential for studying the health conditions onboard and the medical practices used to treat crew members and passengers.

Protocols kept by the harbour master in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas between 1821 and 1865 provide a view of the traffic of trading ships to St. Thomas during its peak as a commercial hub. They help determine the origin, number, nationality, size, and cargo of ships.

Protocols from after 1865 are available at the National Archives in Washington DC (incoming vessels 1865-1918, outgoing vessels 1865-1922).

The two series of protocols are organized chronologically. Each protocol is also chronologically ordered and written in Danish (Gothic).

The Merchant Books kept by the Danish West India and Guinea Company’s merchant on St. Thomas from 1734-1755 contain information on goods sold and purchased from plantation owners and other island residents.

They provide insight into the goods used for plantation operations and private consumption, ranging from linen for slaves to luxury items like porcelain and tea.

Merchant Books are organized chronologically. Each volume is divided into different types of goods with one invoice per type. Each invoice is recorded chronologically with debits and credits. Most volumes have an alphabetical index of goods. Books are written in Danish (Gothic).

Detailed accounts were kept of goods sold at the Company’s auctions in Copenhagen, including who bought them and at what prices.

Each barrel of raw sugar, bale of cotton, roll of tobacco, sack of coffee beans, and elephant tusk is listed.

Auction protocols are transcriptions of draft notes taken during the auctions in Copenhagen. Auctions are recorded chronologically, with each auction divided by goods types. Many protocols also list each buyer’s total purchases.

The Protocols are written in Danish (Gothic).

A Citizenship Certificate was proof of a person’s citizenship in the Danish West Indies, granting certain privileges and rights, including the right to trade and the obligation to participate in public duties like the militia and fire brigade.

Citizenship Certificate Protocols are organized chronologically, with each volume also arranged chronologically but with an alphabetical index by last name. Note that the first volume, covering 1755-1788, does not include occupational information.

These protocols contain information about who was licensed to run rum shops and taverns on St. Thomas from 1834-1903, and sometimes also about the location of these establishments.

They provide insight into the number of taverns serving the bustling port and their owners.

Licensing protocols are organized chronologically, with each volume arranged alphabetically by the licensee’s last name.