Since the prehistoric days to today, the sea has been Jersey’s way of connecting to the outside world. We are surrounded by water meaning people would use our maritime routes to people travel and settle making new families and communities. For the island communities, their ports and piers are symbolic and practically significant.

The islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, were separated from mainland Europe with rising sea levels in the Neolithic period, which is when maritime activity commenced.

Needing to trade, the islanders were innovative. Over time they built up skills, earning money and investing capital in maritime businesses.

Jersey merchants sold and bought cod from Canada. Many merchants were engaged in the Atlantic trade, referred to as the ‘merchant triangle’ with commodities of manufactured goods and agricultural products.

They sailed to and/or traded with the British Empire, other European colonies in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South America and even going to Hong Kong and Australia.

Sugar, molasses, rum, cotton, coffee and tobacco were all different good which Jersey merchants exchanged for cod-fish.

Jersey cod-merchants also exported cod-fish to British colonies in the West Indies and later Brazil in exchange for plantation goods, which it brought to markets in America, Europe and the UK (including Jersey). Because of this, Jersey benefitted from the profits made in the British Empire build on a capitalist model of a slave-based economy.

Stories of the sea, about voyages, encounters and even shipwrecks holds mythological and romantic notions in the imagination of humans. For centuries, artists, writers, poets and filmmakers have been inspired by the see and the unknown secrets of it.

Théodore Géricault, The Raft of the Medusa.1818–19. Oil on canvas

Jersey’s Harbour History

St Aubin harbour in early 19th century

St Aubin used to be the main harbour for Jersey merchants. St Helier then became the central maritime hub. However, St Helier harbours were too small for the larger ships and increasing tonnages, with both drying out at low tide. So, Jersey added a few piers to its harbour, such as Victoria and Albert Piers.

View of St Helier Harbour, 1903 © Société Jersiaise

St. Helier Harbour and Waterfront, present day

Saint Helier Harbour is the now main harbour in Jersey. It’s on the south coast of the island, and occupies most of the coast of St. Helier.