- Boat type — cargo and passenger schooner
- Name — Starlight V, often simply called Starlight
- Construction site — L'Esterre, on the island of Carriacou
- Built by — Boyie Stiell
- Line — Hillsborough, Carriacou – St George's, Grenada
- Era — in service at least from 1965 to 1968
- State — still to be found
The mail boat
In the 1960s, Starlight V was one of the schooners that carried mail, goods and passengers between Carriacou and Grenada.
In April 1967, two New York Times journalists, Lorraine and Bill Eberhardt, boarded the ship in Hillsborough just as the crew cast off. They described it as a schooner somewhat larger than the Sea Hawk, another mail ship, and capable of carrying many more passengers.
In the middle of the cabin, a wooden enclosure lined with benches serves as "first class". With sails hoisted in the breeze, the schooner passes Sandy Island, glides between the small islands south of Carriacou, crosses the chop of Kick 'Em Jenny, skirts Ronde, then descends the entire leeward coast of Grenada, past Gouyave, to the port of St George's.
Midnight in Hillsborough
Bill Cameron, who lived in Carriacou in 1967 and 1968, took the Starlight several times. The boat left Hillsborough at midnight and arrived in St George's around 4:30 a.m.
I lay on top of the cabin and almost tumbled off the side as Starlight pitched and rolled.
Bill Cameron, Carriacou blog 1968
On his blog, former passengers also remember the crossing: one made the round trip in May 1965, another in 1966 or 1967, during the August school holidays. For the latter, it was the first boat of his life.
On the canvases of Bill Cameron
Bill Cameron, now a painter, has depicted Starlight V at least three times: at the dock, resting in the port, and in full crossing to Grenada around 1968, in a painting entitled The Crossing.
Built in L'Esterre
The following is based on memories recounted in 2026. These are the stories that are passed down in Carriacou: they are not necessarily verified by other sources.
Henry Stiell, a former school principal who grew up on L'Esterre, remembers his father building Starlight in their village. An island resident confirms that "Uncle Boyie" Stiell built Starlight on L'Esterre Bay. Discover its builder: Boyie Stiell.
What does the "V" mean?
In Carriacou, the letter following a boat's name often refers to the initial of its builder or owner. Since the builder's name is Stiell, the V might designate the owner. His name remains to be discovered.
What remains to be found
The year of construction, dimensions, owner, captain, and fate of the boat remain unknown. Any information, photographs, or memorabilia that could complete this record would be greatly appreciated.
Contact — Starlight V
No public site, page or address is known.
If you know of an official and public page to contact this boat, or if you have any information that could enrich its history, write to us via the form below — this record will be completed.
Sources
- Lorraine and Bill Eberhardt, The New York Times, April 2, 1967: Getting to Know the Grenadines By Yacht or Mail Boat
- Paul Burnett, photograph from 1967, and reader comments, Carriacou blog 1968: 013-Starlight-V
- Bill Cameron, Carriacou blog 1968: Sport in Carriacou
- Bill Cameron, paintings of the Caribbean: Star Light V, The
- Explore Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Facebook, September 2026, interview with Henry Stiell: When we speak about traditional boatbuilding in Carriacou
- GIS Grenada, Facebook, 2026, comments under the video: Race to save the Traditional Boat Building Industry
- Meaning of the letter following the name: information provided by the West Indies Regatta association
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