Popular myths
It is a popular myth that the slave trade was invented by the
Europeans; the reality was that when the first Europeans
reached West Africa in the 15th century slavery was already
long established,
Popular myths
It is a popular myth that the slave trade was invented by the
Europeans; the reality was that when the first Europeans
reached West Africa in the 15th century slavery was already
long established.
Museums have a central role in creating a more equal, diverse and inclusive society. Through the objects that represent us, the stories we share and the historic places we look
after, we hold the collective memory of our community.
What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?
It has been more than 400 years since the first Islanders crossed the Atlantic in search of pastures new. They went to plunder the cod-rich seas of the American and Canadian coast.
A family pose in the Point St Peter shop: Charles Le Marquand seated between the two women while standing behind are Thomas Alexander Le Gros, John James Le Gros and his wife Edith Emily Le Gresley. All images supplied by MUSEE DE LA GASPESIE.
Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?
Jersey has been an island for approximately 8,000 years: therefore, apart from the last 60 years, the only way for people to come to or leave the island has been by sea. Over the centuries the way in which boats have been powered has changed – muscle power, wind power, steam power and now diesel power. The largest island is jersey, followed by Guernsey, Alderney, sark and a number of smaller islands, islets and rocky outcrops. The islands were separated from mainland Europe with rising sea levels in the Neolithic period
What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?
They traded molasses and rum for cod fish
Fishing:
Oyster Dredging became important and started in 1828 centring around the Chausey oyster beds, where the French also wished to fish. News of these beds brought 300 fishing boats from the south of England, Gorey pier was rebuilt to assist them and after ten years, the beds were shown to be over fished.
Manufactured goods:
Knitting in the Islands as a trade had early origins, the quality was so good that Queen Elizabeth I wore Guernsey stockings. Large quantities of wool being imported to the Islands from Southampton by special licence, where a major cottage industry turned the product into desirable high value goods. Stocking were in high demand in France,240,000 pairs a year being exported there in the 1660s.
Entrepôt:
Being free ports, as the British Parliament had no right to levy taxes in the Islands and the Islands themselves not wishing to levy taxes on goods brought to and then exported again from the Islands, The Channel Islands could import goods from anyone who was not an enemy of Britain, free of British taxes. The local merchants would buy up and supply goods at favourable prices, especially goods taken by privateers. There were no restrictions on whom the goods were sold to, and no liability on the Islanders if the ship subsequently landed those goods without declaring them and paying taxes at their destination.
Cod and North America:
The Channel Island fishing industry took to the opportunities offered with the opening up of the Grand Banks Fisheries. Cod was valuable and from 1763 when Quebec 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. Barrels of dried cod, 1,000-2,000 quintals a year, each weighing roughly 50 kg, being exported by ship to the Caribbean or western Europe. Sometimes there was a three-way trade with ships returning to the Channel Islands where the ship chandlers and merchants benefited.
Horticulture and agriculture:
In Guernsey the introduction of glasshouses resulted in a growth on eating grapes and then tomato production from Victorian days, when in the 1880s 10,000 tons were exported annually until the 1970s, with 60 million tomatoes exported each year in the 1960s to England.
Quarrying:
During the 19th century quarrying of granite for use in England became a valuable trade good from Guernsey, adding value by creating cobblestones for London streets, although after 1847 gravel was exported for macadamizing roads. In 1861 St Sampson’s harbour saw 142,866 tons of stone loaded in 737 ships, it became very crowded and required piers to be rebuilt and repaired, by 1913, annual tonnage had risen to 453,947
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