Timeline

1702

As war between England and France resumes smuggling traffic is reduced.

1724

Three coal fire lights are placed on Casquets reef to work as a lighthouse.

1736

Alderney's Braye Harbour is established.

1740

Philip and Thomas de Saumarez joins George Anson's Round the World journey and help to capture a Spanish treasure ship.

1743

Town Hospital is created to support the poor and needy.

1744

Unexplained loss of HMS Victory on the Casquets reef is the greatest ever loss of life in local waters as no sign was found of the more than 1,100 officers and ratings on board. A resurgence in privateering after France joins Spain in making war on England.

1747

Philip de Saumarez was killed while commanding HMS Nottingham off Brest.

1751

Building of Castel Hospital begins.

1756

Privateering started from Alderney.

1757

James de Saumarez born.

1764

HMS Guernsey assists in survey of Labrador and Newfoundland as part of squadrons under Captain James Cook.

1769

Captain Major of the revenue cutter Lord North arrested in Guernsey and imprisoned for illegal activity - apparently the locals found him too zealous in his pursuit of the smugglers.

1770

Oil lamps installed at the Casquets. James de Saumarez joins the Royal Navy. Wooden Vale Mill is built.

1780

Construction of Fort George begins. It is built to replace Castle Cornet as a garrison fort.

1787

Duke of Richmond commissions a survey of the Island and a map is produced.

1789

Martello towers (as called locally but are actually loophole towers) start appearing on Guernsey's coast under the threat of attack by Napoleon.

1792

Grapes for table wine are grown in greenhouses for the first time and is the reason greenhouses are called vineries.

1794

James de Saumarez narrowly escapes capture by a French squadron. Post Office is set up in the island.

1799

Guernsey's Royal Court House is built. Allies are defeated by Napoleon. Russian troops are billeted in Alderney and in Vale Castle, Guernsey.