Harbour planned at Noirmont

Harbour planned
at Noirmont

The harbour would have been built along the stretch of coast which was part of the fief of Noirmont

The source of this article, which first appeared in the Facebook group Maritime Jersey, are unknown

15 October 1866

With the increasing number of steamships using St Helier Harbour it is becoming clear that the tidal situation is a major inconvenience.

A harbour below the Noirmont headland, in deeper water than St Aubin, which dries out at half tide, would have been protected from prevailing westerly winds

The passenger mailboats stick to a ridgid timetable, and when the tide is out, passengers are transported in small boats to their ships anchored in the small roads.

Cargo is left on the quays as steamers make a dash for the tide, and there are many complaints from ship owners about their vessels having to sit on the uneven floor of the harbour.

The whole situation has come to a head recently, and in September a competition was launched to encourage designs for a new enlarged harbour.

To the annoyance of trade, businessmen and property owners of St Helier, the steamer companies and their captains were favouring a new harbour construction at Noirmont. It would be sheltered from the prevailing wind, and of deep water and not tidal.

Mr J Pipon, owner of Noirmont, offers to give his land, and nearby materials to build the new harbour free of charge.

The commercial interests of the town of St Helier prevailed, and his offer was rejected.