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.
GUERNSEY OFFSHORE ROWING REGATTA 11 Jul 2009 - 12 Jul 2009
This popular Regatta sees racing in and around Havelet Bay as well as our sister islands of Herm and Jethou. With men’s, women’s and mixed categories from 16 years and up, th...
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ROCQUAINE REGATTA 01 Aug 2009 - 01 Aug 2009
The Rocquaine Regatta has a long and distinguished reputation for fun. A full day (and evening) of free entertainment and activities for both the young and young at heart, inc...
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