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Saint Helena Tourism
Saint Helena History
St Helena was uninhabited when Portuguese navigator, Juan Da Nova, discovered it on 21 May 1502. As it was the festival day, in the Eastern Church Calendar, of St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, he named the island in her honour.
Da Nova realized that the island, with its plentiful supply of fresh water and fruits, would be a valuable victualling place for ships returning home from the east. He made little publicity of his discovery but built a chapel at the place where he landed which gave it the name of Chapel Valley. Today it is known as Jamestown.
There were no permanent inhabitants until 1516 when a renegade officer, Don Fernando Lopez, jumped ship and chose to stay. He lived on the island for nearly 30 years with the exception of a visit to Europe to receive absolution from the Pope.
For many years the Portuguese kept their discovery a secret and used the island as a supply station for their own ships. It was not until 1588 that Captain Thomas Cavendish, an Englishman commanding H.M.S. Desire, called at the island on his voyage round the world and stayed some 12 days there. English and Dutch merchant ships then began to call frequently to water and refit.
Disputes between the Dutch and the English soon arose as to ownership of the island and continued until 1633 when the island was proclaimed a possession of the Dutch. There is no evidence, however, that any Dutchman lived permanently on the island.
In 1659 the British East India Company placed a garrison on the island and started the first permanent settlement. There was opposition to this by the Dutch which culminated in the invasion of 1673 which forced the English, under the leadership of Governor Beale, to withdraw to Brazil on a ship that was anchored in James Bay. On arrival in Brazil, Governor Beale immediately obtained a fast sloop to warn ships in the vicinity of St Helena of the Dutch occupation of the island.
It was fortunate for the English that Captain Richard Munden was dispatched from England by the East India Company with a squadron of ships to escort the homecoming merchant ships. Governor Beale encountered Captain Munden's ship some miles off St Helena where they drew up a daring plan to recapture the island. The Dutch were soon overpowered and the island was regained by the English .It was then held by the British East India Company under Charter from Charles II until 1834. On 22 April 1834, following administration by the British East India Company for 162 years, the island was brought under the direct government of the British Crown.
Da Nova realized that the island, with its plentiful supply of fresh water and fruits, would be a valuable victualling place for ships returning home from the east. He made little publicity of his discovery but built a chapel at the place where he landed which gave it the name of Chapel Valley. Today it is known as Jamestown.
There were no permanent inhabitants until 1516 when a renegade officer, Don Fernando Lopez, jumped ship and chose to stay. He lived on the island for nearly 30 years with the exception of a visit to Europe to receive absolution from the Pope.
For many years the Portuguese kept their discovery a secret and used the island as a supply station for their own ships. It was not until 1588 that Captain Thomas Cavendish, an Englishman commanding H.M.S. Desire, called at the island on his voyage round the world and stayed some 12 days there. English and Dutch merchant ships then began to call frequently to water and refit.
Disputes between the Dutch and the English soon arose as to ownership of the island and continued until 1633 when the island was proclaimed a possession of the Dutch. There is no evidence, however, that any Dutchman lived permanently on the island.
In 1659 the British East India Company placed a garrison on the island and started the first permanent settlement. There was opposition to this by the Dutch which culminated in the invasion of 1673 which forced the English, under the leadership of Governor Beale, to withdraw to Brazil on a ship that was anchored in James Bay. On arrival in Brazil, Governor Beale immediately obtained a fast sloop to warn ships in the vicinity of St Helena of the Dutch occupation of the island.
It was fortunate for the English that Captain Richard Munden was dispatched from England by the East India Company with a squadron of ships to escort the homecoming merchant ships. Governor Beale encountered Captain Munden's ship some miles off St Helena where they drew up a daring plan to recapture the island. The Dutch were soon overpowered and the island was regained by the English .It was then held by the British East India Company under Charter from Charles II until 1834. On 22 April 1834, following administration by the British East India Company for 162 years, the island was brought under the direct government of the British Crown.