The Tektite Project

St. John made history in 1969 and again in 1970 when it became home to an
undersea project known as “Tektite.”  The mission was to place marine
scientists 49 feet below the surface of Great Lameshur Bay for extended
periods in an underwater living quarters known as a “habitat.” This
dwelling was fashioned by the Missile and Space division of General
Electric and the project was overseen by the National Aeronautic and Space
Administration (NASA), the Navy and the Department of Interior.

The objectives of this project were multi-faceted.  NASA was interested in
the effects of isolation and confinement on small group dynamics; for the
Navy, safely extending the limits of continual time spent below the surface
and testing new diving equipment were their primary interests.  The
Department of Interior was anxious to further marine scientific research
through extended stays underwater.

Part-time St. John resident Bruce Schoonover began researching this project
some six years ago and concludes “…this is not only a fascinating piece of
this island’s history, but it is an important part of our Nation’s history
during the turbulent 1960s”…  “Underlying this project was our country’s
desire to regain its pre-eminence in science and technology, which the
Soviet Union was clearly challenging.”  Schoonover has presented his
findings at St. John Historical Society events held at the Virgin Islands
Resource Station (VIERS) on St. John—the site of the base camp for the
Tektite project.

Because of the importance of this undertaking to both St. John and our
Nation and consistent with the mission of St. John Historical Society to
document, preserve and share with the public important historical events,
there is a desire to turn Schoonover’s research into a video documentary
much like what was done with his earlier research on the Establishment of
the Virgin Islands National Park.  And, once again Schoonover, Steve
Simonsen and Bill Stelzer have been collaborating to see this through to
fruition.

The above trailer, edited by Bill Stelzer will give the viewer a hint as to the
complexity and historical significance of this project.  The group is
hoping that through the circulation of this medium that others will
recognize the importance of this event and assist in providing financial
support for this undertaking.