Sea Guernsey

Heritage - Seafarers


Many generations of local families have earned their living from the sea but possibly the greatest of all is the de Saumarez family.

In the 1740s Philip Saumarez (who dropped the 'de' due to the unpopularity of the French) was Second Lieutenant aboard The Centurion, under the command of Commodore Anson, on a famous expedition to the South Seas and around the world. The journey culminated in the capture of the Spanish treasure ship, Nuestra Senora de Cobadonga, the greatest prize ever captured at sea. His nephew, James, a Rear Admiral, was the victor in several important naval battles and was second in command to Nelson at the Battle of the Nile.

Captain William Le Lacheur was born in Guernsey on 15 October 1802 and is one of Guernsey’s most famous sons.

He became a national hero in Costa Rica and is credited with transforming the island from being the poorest in Central America to the wealthiest, in less than a quarter of a century.

Le Lacheur’s first cargo of coffee from Costa Rica to London sailed in 1843, and his ships went on to feature on Costa Rican bank notes and postage stamps during the 19th and 20th centuries.  Le Lacheur had a huge impact on the island both economically and spiritually. Le Lacheur died in London on 27 June 1863.

For more information on William Le Lacheur please click here.

For more information on Guernsey's maritime history visit our Maritime Museum at Castle Cornet, which stands guard over our main harbour of St Peter Port.

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TOUR DES PORTS DE LA MANCHE 13 Jul 2010 - 14 Jul 2010

Contact Peter Falla on +44 (0) 1481 713888 or see the Website below. Organised by Le Yacht Club de Granville this sailing race brings together around 100 boats and 700 yacht...
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GUERNSEY LIFEBOAT GUILD ANNUAL DINNER 24 Apr 2010 - 24 Apr 2010

At the Duke of Richmond Hotel 7-7.30 ‘till late Tickets £45 available from the Harbour Office +44 (0) 1481 720229 Live Entertainment with City Limits. Raffle. Black Tie In a...
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