views of the island with the help of a digital camera
St Pierre Port, the port of St Peter is the Capital of Guernsey, with the port of St Sampsons being the commercial port.
St Peter Port has been used at least since roman times as witnessed by the finding of 'Asterix' the Roman wreck discovered after the silt at the mouth of the harbour was disturbed by our larger ferries. Artefacts from the wreck have been recovered and are to be found in the Museum in Castle cornet which 'guards' the entrance to the port. The main surviving timbers were raised under instruction of Margaret Rule who supervised the raising of the 'Mary Rose' from Southampton Water.
This is hardly suprising as the area is sheltered from the prevailing winds and offers secure deep water anchorage - as it must have done over the millenia. Phonecians heading for Cornwall for tin would have been swept to the islands by South Westerly gales and sought anchorage there.
There is a very interesting book called 'The Legend of the Forest of Vazon' which deals with the many legends concerning the island and including the arrival of the Romans in Guernsey. Until recently there were considered to be no signs of Roman presence, yet the book, written in the mid 19th century mentions Roman shipwrecks which have subsequently proved to have occured. von Schlieman was right.
Most islanders who have left the island for any time get a great spiritual 'lift' when approaching the port by boat first thing in the morning as they approach 'home'.
The port grew with the advent of trade, and in the middle ages was a focal point of world wide trade. Ships were also built here which sailed the world and many great and famous persons have used our ports. There was a French Naval seaplane squadron based there during the World War I.
The Parish church is considered by many to be Guernsey's 'cathederal' and the picturesque streets are still narrow and bounded by medieval house.