Guernsey’s strategic position continued to be of importance during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1803 the new Governor Sir John Doyle instigated an ambitious programme of reclamation and rebuilding as part of his defensive strategy against the French. He was responsible for the draining of the Braye du Valle, which joined the north of Guernsey to the rest of the island for the first time, he constructed roads to enable efficient troop movements, including one along the west coast and built a series of loop – holed towers. This massive building programme helped the granite and quarrying industry and ships exporting granite returned with coal. In 1816 the first local currency was minted to finance a new market development.
The shipbuilding industry was at its height by the mid 1800s and shipyards were built along the coast from St Peter Port to St Sampson’s. Guernsey – built ships brought tea from China and coffee from Costa Rica.
William Le Lacheur had seen the potential for setting up a coffee business after early trade with Costa Rica and he brought his first consignment into London in 1843.
The island prospered and in 1851 Guernsey sent a number of items to the ‘Great Exhibition’ at Crystal Palace in London. The first postal Pillar Box was introduced at this time and still stands today as a symbol of the new and improved communications between the island and the outside world.
In 1855 the eminent French writer Victor Hugo arrived in Guernsey. Having escaped from France and then been expelled from Jersey for his political utterances, he settled for a number of years in Guernsey, writing some of his best known works and amusing the local populace with his unconventional lifestyle.
The advent of the steam railway in Britain encouraged people to take trips to the coast and soon passages to Guernsey and Jersey were being advertised. The first Tourist Guide was published in 1834.
When the Railway companies purchased their own boats and started the boat train service things really took off. The two companies involved were forced to race to get to the only convenient berth in St. Helier a situation that was not halted until the sinking of the ‘Stella’ in 1899 with the loss of 105 lives.
