Harbour Masters

Jersey has no natural harbours and before the eighteenth century no safe shelter in all conditions, existed.  The tidal range c.12 metres and the very many reefs in the shallow waters around the island have been both a hindrance to commerce and a safeguard from intruders. (The lack of Roman settlement in Jersey, is usually attributed to this fact.)   An early trading vessel would need to choose fine weather to beach itself as the tide receded in a sandy bay and unload directly to carriers who had come out over the firm sand.  Most shipping trade & commerce was at St. Aubin where a docque & stub pier  was available for small vessels to 'lean-to'.  A  short pier was built (1670/1700) from St. Aubin's Fort to afford some shelter as they settled on the sand.  Other small piers/breakwaters have been built in less suitable bays to assist local fishing boats.    The necessary construction of   harbour facilities between Elizabeth Castle and the town of ST. HELIER has been an ongoing event from c.1800 and continue today - as the Island's chief harbour.

St. Helier
1752 Jean Le Hardy
1756 Jacques Lempriere
1758 Annice Lauren
1772 Jean Luce
1784 Jean Poingdestre
1787 Joshua Mollet
1792 David Mauger
1809 Jean Chevalier
1819 Philippe Dupont
1831 Thomas Lerrier
1843 Jean Chevalier
1861 Peter Briard
1873 James Hamon
1883 William Bichard
1896 Francis John Renouf
1926 Walter Marsh Le Scelleur
1931 Francis George Allix
1940 Harry Richmond
1948 William Furzer
1965 Ronald Taylor
1980 Roy Bullen