The fourth issue in a series of new photo-zines produced by Éditions Emile has been released – a new imprint celebrating the unique collections held in the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive in the island of Jersey.
For island communities, their ports and piers hold symbolic as well as obvious practical significance. They facilitate trade and communication, as an islands economy grows beyond the means by which it can support itself, they come to symbolise survival and possibility.
For much of the 20th century the mailboat and ferries berthed along Jersey’s Albert Pier, it was the point at which loved ones were kissed goodbye and welcomed home as they disembarked.
Victoria continues to serve commercial ends, receiving small freight services and fishing boats, it has nursed livelihoods and businesses for approaching two centuries. The piers have been adapted as needs have changed, this process is ongoing. During 2021/22 Geomarine has been constructing deep water berths for yachts off Albert Pier and renovating the pontoons in St Helier Marina. As always, the changes reflect the island at the time, they will not be the last these piers see, as they continue to serve our island community.
Issue four considers the development and use of Victoria and Albert Piers. A recent donation to the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive showing work being carried out to the piers between 1929-31 forms the backbone of the zine, with contemporary photographs, produced by four local photographers placing recent construction work to the piers within this historical and social context. Doug Ford, Maritime Historian and former Community Learning Director at Jersey Heritage, has written a new text for this issue; a concise history of the piers up to date, providing the context of a working harbour for an island community.
He writes, “over the last 50 years the nature of St Helier harbour has changed. However, as an Island community we still rely heavily on our harbours – about 98% of all the food, goods and materials we use enter the island. Looking through these photographs it is obvious that any work on the fabric of the piers entailed massive disruption yet it was all done as the harbour continued to work.”
Editors Patrick Cahill and Martin Toft commented: “This set of vintage prints has enriched our historical collections of images of St Helier Harbour. They provide us with an insight into to the scale and risks involved in constructing new harbour facilities. The craftmanship displayed, using local granite blocks offers a reference to vernacular architecture in Jersey.”
The publication and a planned exhibition for public display later in the summer has been made possible with a sponsorship from the Garenne Construction Group. Executive Director, Marc Burton said: “Our company Geomarine has been involved with improving St Helier harbour facilities for many years and we are happy to support the photo-archive at the Société Jersiaise with making this publication and future exhibition available for the wider public.”
ED.EM.04 Victorial & Albert – on the piers and a set of Limited Edition Prints can be purchased online or at Société Jersiaise bookshop on 7 Pier Rd, St Helier.
This issue is dedicated to Alec Podger, a local maritime historian who passed away in 2021
The main image shows Dutch bucket dredger, Karang, preparing ground for Coffer dam No 2. in 1930.
