Loredon L Boynes Sr
Loredon Lorence Boynes Sr. (April 2, 1919 - August 27, 1994) was a notable sea captain from the United States Virgin Islands.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Boynes was born on April 2, 1919 on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. His parents were Alfred and Geraldine Sprauve Boynes.
He attended the Bethany school in St. John where he was an active member of the volleyball, softball, basketball and cricket teams at the school. Later, Boynes joined the St. John Cruz Bay Softball team and participated regionally as a member of the “West Rover” cricket team. Loredon was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Choir. He was also a self-taught banjo and saxophone player.
Captain Boynes was married twice, first to Vashti A Parson-Boynes, then to Margie Brown Boynes. He has 6 children.
On August 27, 1994, Loredon L Boynes Sr. died in a house fire at his home in Philadelphia, United States of America.[1]
Career
[edit]Boynes’ early career began with a 3 1/2 year tour of service with the US Army forces beginning in 1945 where he was a member of a band battalion formed with other Virgin Islanders notably including Governor Alexander Farley.
Boynes would go on to earn his captain license and begin piloting boats on the waterways of the Caribbean for a deep sea fishing company.
He worked for the National Park Service where he served as a park ranger.
Captain Boynes sailed vessels for the Virgin Islands Government operating between St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola.
Loredon also served as the renowned Rockefeller Family Captain for Lawrence Rockefeller’s boat, “The Mary”.[1]
Legacy
[edit]In 1964, Captain Boynes Sr and his colleague Victor Sewer formed in ferry service, where they piloted the Jolly Roger.
In 1965, he began a family owned and operated corporation aimed to streamline services between St. Thomas and St. John, called Transportation Services. Captain Boynes curated three large dependable vessels to ensure the success of this venture the Carib Sunrise, the Carib Tide and the Carib Time.[1]
On July 13th 1973, Boynes was included in the history of international affairs in a confrontation between the United States and Cuba. Captain Boynes was tasked with piloting a vessel “Nicole Robin” from New Orleans to the Virgin Islands with his son Loredon Boynes Jr., James Penn, Roy and Liston Sprauve, and a navigator from Mississippi when they were intercepted by Cuban gunboats, imprisoned and unable to communicate for 19 days. They were released on August 2nd, and made their way to Puerto Rico enroute home to the United States Virgin Islands.[2][3]
Awards and honors
[edit]The Loredon L Boynes Sr Dock was named in his honor by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in Act No.5872.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Funeral Book for Loredon Lorence Boynes, Sr". original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Motta, Richard (2023-08-05). "Territory Celebrates 'Nicole Robin Day' in the US Virgin Islands". Government of the United States Virgin Islands. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "State Dept Aid Sought for Missing Boat, Crew". The Virgin Islands Daily News. St. Thomas Virgin Islands. 1973-07-25. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "Loredon Lorence Boynes Sr. Dock | Virgin Islands Port Authority". VI Port Authority. Retrieved 2025-03-30.