This Jersey harbour was created in the early 1700s century. The harbour dates back to 1680 when the then Governor Sir Thomas Morgan ordered a stone pier built at St Aubin’s Fort. Until this time, even though St Aubin was the island’s main port, ships were loaded and unloaded by carts at low tide.
This was the harbour, as recent as possible, with myself going on the 10/09/2024, I can clearly say that the harbour has increased in size, and the amount of boats that use the harbour, and bigger/taller, with even land being built.
St Helier Harbour is the main harbour in Jersey Channel islands. It is on the south coast of the island, occupying most of the coast of the main town of St Helier. The harbour is used to dock Jersey boats, as well Jersey citizens travelling to and from the Island on the Condor Ferry. It is operated by Ports of Jersey, a company wholly owned by the Government of Jersey.
There are three marinas — the La Collette Yacht Basin, the Saint Helier Marina (built in 1980) and the Elizabeth Marina.
History:
Saint Helier Harbour is named after a 6th-century ascetic hermit from Belgium, Helier. The harbour was constructed in the early 19th century.
Dated pictures from the 19th century:
In 1814, the merchants constructed roads to connect the harbours to the town, which are now known as Commercial Buildings and Le Quai des Marchands. In 1832 construction was finished on the Esplanade and its sea wall. A rapid expansion in shipping led the States of Jersey in 1837 to order the construction of two new piers: the Victoria and Albert Piers.
Photography turns the ordinary into the extraordinary by what’s in the background of the image or the people that are inside the image itself. Original photography was based on the shadows that photographers saw in the surroundings that they were in. The term “fixing the shadows” was a chemical combination used in the final steps of processing an image onto paper, which stabilised or “fixed” the image, neutralising its sensitivity to light.
Camera Obscura
The Camera Obscura is an optical phenomenon that’s totally natural. It’s where the room has to be completely dark and then there is a small rectangle where the light can come through and then over time the image will be displayed in the room where you want the phenomenon to happen.
Camera Obscuras have been around for thousands of years and they started with artists using blank boxes and projecting an image on to a piece of paper or a piece of metal. The Camera Obscura can be presented inverted (upside down), or reversed (left to right).
Nicephore Niepce
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce was a French inventor and one of the earliest pioneers of photography. He developed heliography, a technique he used to create the worlds oldest surviving products of a photographic process. He used a primitive camera to produce the oldest surviving photograph of a real-world scene.
Louis Daguerre
Louis Daguerre was a French artist and photographer, recognised for his invention of the Daguerreotype process of photography. He became known as one of the fathers of photography, however he is mostly known for his contribution to photography. He was also an accomplished painter, scenic designer, and a developer of the diorama theatre.
Daguerreotype
The image was printed on to a metal plate which meant the image was just lying on top of the plate which made these daguerreotypes very delicate and easily damaged. With the image being on metal and then having a glass plate put over the top of the metal he said that it was like the person in the photo was “on the edge of being present”. The daguerreotype was very expensive to make and took ages to produce one, this meant that they were not mass produced and they were very valuable and precious.
Henry Fox Talbot
Henry Fox Talbot couldn’t draw so he couldn’t make real life things he saw into 3D drawings, which led to him inventing the Camera Obscura so he could see the things he wanted to draw. His idea was to use paper negatives where the image would sink in to the paper and he could mass produce them and ship more of them out.
Richard Maddox
Richard Maddox was an English photographer and physician who invented lightweight gelatin negative dry plates for photography in 1871. He was known for photo micrography which is photographing minute organisms under the microscope. When he realised his health was at risk with the ‘wet’ collodion’s ether vapor, he came up with a new substitute with the sensitising chemicals cadmium bromide and silver nitrate and that they should be coated on a glass plate In gelatin.
George Eastman
George Eastman was an American Entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak company and helped to bring the photographic use of roll film into the mainstream. After a decade of experimentation in photography he patented and sold a roll film camera, making amateur photography accessible to the general public for the first time. Working as the treasurer and later president of Kodak, he oversaw the expansion of the company and the film industry.
Film/print Photography
Film/Print Photography is where the images are printed from a film in a camera. It shows how accurate and intricate the images taken on a film camera can be and is really rewarding to see how the photos develop from the film.
Digital Photography
Digital Photography is a process that uses an electronic device ( a digital camera ) to capture an image. Instead of film, it uses an electronic digital sensor to translate light into electrical signals. In the camera the signals are stored as tiny bits of data in bitmaps, tiny bits of data that form the image.
Here these images are very bright and colourful compared to the rest, the sky is a shade of green that almost gives off a disastrous look almost as if a storm is coming. I made the sky looks more colourful so that the image itself would stand out. However I highlighted the area I wanted to make bright and simply copied the layer, I then proceeded to brighten the colour and made it look more green, I felt as though the green makes the photo looks really ready to explore The thought that our world is slowly getting destroyed with all the carbon being released and the plastic being thrown around creates this unpleasant image, the world is dying and no much is being done to save it.
All of the photos that I selected in big to present are the best images I took. Through out all the photos I took these were best one I could analyse and use in my work as they had bod colours and all represent a story whereas some of my other photos don’t have the right lighting or angle to use or don’t have the right story to tell. Most of my photos are pictures of boats but not really the big luxurious boats more like small boat that u would stay close to the haw with which tells us a lot, possibly the p[person who owns the boats like to do fishing close to the island or likes to have a small paddle around the island in their bot however it doesn’t necessarily tell us if they don’t have the money to buy as its not a factor we can judge and asses. The colour of each boat can tell us a story as it can show each personally identity.
Doing this photoshoot was quite successful as I got many photos of different places surrounding the harbour. For many of these photos I had zoomed in with the camera to get a specific area of the surroundings, Like with the pictures of the boats I had make sure that nothing else is in the background and only the boats were in focus. For many of these photos I had used Photoshop to add Ai effects and get rid of any distracting directs effecting the image. Firstly in the image with the two boats I asked AI to remove anything I the sea to make it look like there are only boats floating and nothing else around. To get the basic editing I levelled all the colours and made some of my photos in black and white as helped to stop the colours from distracting the main idea of the photo. I believe this photoshoot went really well as I was able to interact with some people along the way and understand why they do what they do for a living how it is impact in their lives. For example, I was able to see people who took care of all the lobsters and fish. I was also able to see all the boats that were left on the side. These boats were all different colours and can each represent different personalities and how people look like and the way they are portrayed.
Overall, I believe this photoshoot went well and I managed to capture quite a good bunch of photographs that portray the importance of the st Helier harbour and how its history ha impacted it. Most of the pictures I took of boats are quite small and show how in the past they didn’t really have really high tech boats and almost shows us ow people used to travel across the seas, and of Couse they have other boats with high tech and more protection but it does help us view the evolution of the boats and how each boat can help a person achieve different things.
The channel islands were created due to rising sea levels during the Neolithic period, creating Jersey, (the largest island), followed by Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and a few more little islands. The first mention of fishing in the islands appears in the Norman Exchequer Roll of 1195. The King having the right to require conger to be landed at specific ports and sold to merchants to whom the King had granted a right of pre-emption.
What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?
The geographical location of the Channel Islands, where trade from the west of Europe and the Americas passed close by. Led to many becoming skilled mariners, firstly as fishermen then as traders. Jersey would trade with the Canadian fishers in want for Cod-fish.
Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?
It was during the early 19th century that stone piers were built at La Rocque, Bouley Bay, Rozel and Gorey, to accommodate the oyster boats. The harbour at Gorey also took passenger traffic from Normandy.
During the Roman period there was an established trade route between Alet (St Servan) and Hengistbury Head in Dorset. Guernsey was the favoured stop off point, because of the natural deep water harbour at St Peter Port, although these boats undoubtedly called in to Jersey as well.
What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?
Salt was essential for preserving cod, particularly the salted and dried variety that was a major commodity. Some others are textiles, Wine and Spirits, Agricultural Products, Fishing Equipment and Supplies, Clothing and Household Goods.
To what extend, has the island of Jersey benefitted from its constitutional relationship with Britain and the legacies of colonialism based on a slave plantation economy during the first Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)?
Triangular Trade was a crucial role in the export and import of various goods from Jersey.
St Aubin was the main harbour for Jersey merchants before St Helier became the central maritime hub. St Helier harbours were proving too small for the larger ships and increasing tonnages, with both drying out at low tide.
So it was to St Aubin that the States turned when the demand for a harbour could no longer be ignored, and during the 17th century this certainly became the island’s principal port, where vessels headed to and from the cod fisheries on the Canadian coast would moor, alongside cargo vessels and privateers and their captures.
St helier harbour 1901
There have been a number of 20th century developments. The tanker berth was built to allow tankers to offload fuel and oil supplies near to the fuel farm. It is also the outermost part (at the southern edge) of the harbour. Further north, La Collette Yacht Basin backs onto the Victoria Pier, and provides a deep-water harbour for leisure craft. Nearby is the area for the fishing fleet.
In the 1970s, Jersey had plans to create the now called la Collette. This is where more land was added to the existing harbour for more space, ext.
Today, the company, Ports of Jersey operates all entry and exit points to the island, including harbours and airport. They have plans to re-develop St Helier Harbour into a modern commercial maritime hub – see their Harbour Masterplan here.
Above is a map view of the pier, from late 1700s to mid 1900s. in the 1970s they added a lot to albert pier, here is a google maps view:
All the stuff on the left is all new land created, called Elizabeth pier.
Mood board
For my next photoshoot I want to take similar photos to the ones already on the jersey archive. As well as try to be creative with some new photos.
Jersey is the largest of the channel islands, which is off the coast of France. The islands were separated from mainland Europe with rising sea levels in the Neolithic period; thereafter maritime activity commenced. Jersey is packed full of history, making it a popular tourist destination for holiday makers. One of the most important parts of history is its maritime. Jersey was an important part of the boat building industry and the fishing industry.
This is a fish my dad caught
What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?
Cod was valuable and from 1763 when Quebec (in Canada) was ceded to the British, colonies were founded by both Jersey and Guernsey in Newfoundland. The people in each colony undertook the fishing and drying, waiting for the company ship to arrive with trade goods they could exchange for the fish.
Up to 2000 quintals a year (weighing up to 50kg) where shipped to the Caribbean and Europe. The American war of independence saw the Guernsey fishing colony fade away as more profitable opportunities opened up, privateering.
Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?
St Aubin was the main harbour for Jersey merchants before St Helier became the central maritime hub. St Helier harbours were proving too small for the larger ships and increasing tonnages, with both drying out at low tide. Jersey added a few piers to its harbour, such as Victoria and Albert Piers.
What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?
dried cod from Newfoundland and Gaspe coast, cloth, wine, wool, leather and household goods.
To what extend, has the island of Jersey benefitted from its constitutional relationship with Britain and the legacies of colonialism based on a slave plantation economy during the first Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)?
Jersey’s constitutional relationship with Britain has been highly beneficial in terms of maintaining autonomy while reaping the benefits of British defense and trade networks. During the Industrial Revolution, Jersey’s economy thrived on agriculture, maritime trade, and colonial connections. Although it did not develop a major industrial base, it profited from the global expansion of trade driven by industrial growth.
The island also benefitted indirectly from the slave plantation economy, through its involvement in maritime trade, shipping, and investments in slave-based colonial industries. While this role was not as prominent as in major British ports, it nevertheless left a legacy that contributed to Jersey’s wealth accumulation and modern financial prowess. it used the triangular slave trade to cure the fish and send it to countries around the world, as well as importing goods back to Jersey.
What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?
It has been more then 400 years since the first islanders crossed the the Atlantic in search of grassland. They went to plunder the cod-rich seas of the American and Canadian coast.
By the beginning of the 16th century, Basque Fishermen were travelling to the region to fish, and by 1580, around 10,000 European Fishermen were making the transatlantic voyage to the area each year, to fish for cod. Channel Island Fishermen were among these and by the 1750’s they had set up lucrative trade routes between Canada, Europe and America, establishing bases on the Gaspe Coast where they could salt and prepare the cod.
Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?
During the roman period, there was an established trade route between Alet (St Servan) and Hengistbury Head in Dorset. Guernsey was a favoured stop off point, because the natural deep water harbour at St Peter Port, although these boats undoubtedly called into Jersey too.
What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?
Jersey cod-merchants exported cod-fish to British colonies in the West Indies and later Brazil too in exchange for plantation goods, such as sugar, molasses, rum, cotton, coffee and tobacco, which it brought to markets in America, Europe and the UK (including Jersey).
To what extend, has the island of Jersey benefitted from its constitutional relationship with Britain and the legacies of colonialism based on a slave plantation economy during the first Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)?
By the 1770’s there may have been up to 70 Jersey ships and 2000 Jersey men engaged in the cod trade. By the 1840’s it is estimated that the industry directly employed 4000 people. Also, many others were engaged in manufacturing goods to be exported to the Canadian settlements.
However, Jersey was not without internal trouble not withstanding increased prosperity. Both war and poor harvests led to increases in corn prices of such magnitudes that the poor were unable to feed themselves. Matters reached a head in 1769 when wealthy mill owners tried selling the little corn there was at very high prices to France, causing some local people to riot. The rioters went on to demand changes to the island Government which resulted in the code of 1771, giving more power to the States Assembly
The sea surrounding Jersey channel islands has many uses within the island. The sea is Jerseys main mode of transport other than Jersey airport. The harbours and boats that come to and from Jersey are a main part of the island as it is not only the way for our tourists to come and visit the island however it is also the main way Jersey gets their food through all the big ferries. The main source of food grown on island in 2024 is the famous Jersey Royals. This has also changed a lot over time however now their main sources of food supply and parcels etc. come via boat.
Théodore Géricault,The Raft of the Medusa.1818–19. Oil on canvas. Read the story behind Gericault’s famous painting hereThéodore Géricault,The Raft of the Medusa.1818–19. Oil on canvas. Read the story behind Gericault’s famous painting here
What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?
In 1497 this is when Newfoundland were first discovered. Newfoundland had then began to gather many small Norman boats full of visitors who were intrigued to explore the coasts of this newly discovered place. Between the years of 1505-1547 Henry VIII had started making trades within newfoundland. By this time it is believed that Jersey men had already visited Newfoundland.
An interesting fact is that in 1591 Jean Guillaume of Jersey obtained a licence to sail to Newfoundland from the Governor of Jersey. On his return he was actioned by the Jersey Royal Court for selling his cargo of fish at St Malo instead of Jersey. Fined 300 crowns. This date shows that the fishing industry had commenced in the early part of the 16th century, as Sir Walter Raleigh when Governor of Jersey is quoted as stating that at the end of the sixteenth century islanders were saved from starvation by the arrival of a cargo of fish from the colony.
Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?
The Jersey ships sailed to many different ports to trade, some of these being Armorica, Canada, brazil, Portugal, Spain etc. St. Aubin’s was Jerseys main port. Jersey was involved in the triangular trade mainly with Canada.
Here is the Trade Triangle:
As shown in the above image, Jersey seamen travelled to Canada to collect and prepare the cod fish to sell. On the odd occasions they would also fish as the Atlantic sea is where there was a huge amount of cod fish due to the cold water temperatures which they loved.
The Jersey fishermen who would collect the fish would mainly focus on trading within the mediterranean sea in countries such as Brazil, portugal and italy. As the years progressed they would eventually sell to countries within Europe and even took some back to Jersey for the Islanders to buy.
Elizabeth Taylor – A vessel built in Jersey in 1845.
What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?
There were many different things that the Jersey seamen would trade the cod for some examples being: In the Mediterranean countries like spain, portugal and italy, they would trade cod for things like salt, fruits and spirits. Within countries in Europe. Denmark, england, russia they would get other items such as grains, timber and tar.
These photos are rated 4 – 5 on the star rating, and are flagged: This means that they fit the aesthetic of my desired outcome and suitable for editing.
Yellow coloured:
These images are taken well but lack the correct amount of exposure, need to be cropped, re-adjusted with their angles or contain unwanted obstacles.
Red coloured:
These images did not fit the aesthetic because they where either blurry, poorly taken or did not fit the concept I was basing my photoshoot off.
Photoshoot 2 –
Due to amount of photos taken, I rated the next photoshoot on flag ratings of what I found usable. In a rating of around 3 – 5 These images where marked white, For those that I found couldn’t be used they marked black in a rating of 1 – 2.
