History of Saint Helena facts for kids

Saint Helena is a small island with a big history! It was discovered over 500 years ago by the Portuguese in 1502. This island is one of the most remote places in the world. For many centuries, it was super important for ships sailing between Europe, Asia, and South Africa. The British also used it as a place to send important prisoners, like Napoleon Bonaparte, Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, and over 5,000 Boer prisoners.

Napoleon in Jamestown, Saint Helena.

Discovering Saint Helena: The Early Years (1502–1658)

People traditionally believed that the island was first seen on May 21, 1502. This happened during a return trip to Lisbon by four Portuguese ships. The navigator, João da Nova, supposedly named it Santa Helena after Saint Helena of Constantinople. However, some recent studies suggest this might not be entirely true. Old Portuguese records, written much later, are the only sources for this story. They mostly agree that João da Nova found the island in 1502, but they don't give an exact date.

There are reasons to doubt this story. For example, a map made in November 1502, which included João da Nova's other discoveries, didn't show Saint Helena. Also, when another Portuguese fleet landed on the island in July 1503, their clerk thought it was an unknown island. This makes it seem like João da Nova might not have found Saint Helena after all. Some historians even think the Spanish might have known about Saint Helena and Ascension Island earlier, in 1500.

Another idea about the discovery date, May 21, 1502, was first suggested in a Dutch book in 1596. This date was both a saint's day and a Christian holiday. But the discoverers were Catholic, and this date didn't fit with their traditions. A more likely discovery date is May 3, 1502. This was a Catholic feast day. If João da Nova found it then, he might have named it "Santa Helena" because another island had already been named "Island of the True Cross."

The Portuguese found Saint Helena empty of people. It had lots of trees and fresh water. They brought animals like goats, fruit trees, and vegetables. They also built a small chapel and a few houses. They would leave sick sailors there to recover. The island became a very important stop for ships returning from Asia. It was a place to get food and meet up with other ships.

Many people thought the Portuguese kept the island's location a secret for a long time. But a Dutch book from 1508 mentioned Saint Helena and its location. Other public records from the early 1500s also talked about it. Maps published around 1519 clearly showed Saint Helena and Ascension.

The first known person to live permanently on Saint Helena was a Portuguese soldier named Fernão Lopes. He had been punished in India and chose to live on the island around 1516. He later returned to Portugal and even met the Pope. Then he came back to Saint Helena, where he died in 1545.

When the island was found, it had unique plants. Some stories say it was completely covered in forests. But other evidence suggests that parts of the coast were dry and barren even then. The earliest descriptions mention green areas but not many coastal trees. However, Saint Helena definitely had rich, dense forests inland. Sadly, many native plants and animals were lost quickly. This happened because humans brought goats, pigs, dogs, cats, rats, and other non-native species to the island.

Before 1557, five people escaped from a ship and hid on the island. Their numbers grew to twenty. Important visitors also stopped by, like the Patriarch of Ethiopia in 1557 and three Japanese ambassadors in 1583.

It's believed that Sir Francis Drake visited Saint Helena during his trip around the world (1577–1580). This might explain why the English knew the island's location soon after. So, when Thomas Cavendish arrived in 1588, he probably wasn't the first Englishman there. He stayed for 12 days and described the main valley (now Jamestown) as a beautiful place with buildings, a church, and many fruit trees. He also saw thousands of wild goats.

Other English sailors visited the island too. Once Saint Helena's location was widely known, English warships started waiting there to attack Portuguese ships. Because of this, the King of Spain and Portugal ordered his fleets not to stop at Saint Helena. The Dutch also began visiting.

Over time, the Portuguese and Spanish stopped using the island as much. This was partly because they found other ports. Also, English and Dutch sailors often attacked their ships, damaged their chapel, and destroyed their animals and farms. By the early 1600s, visitors noted that the island's resources were declining. The chapel was damaged, and fruit trees were cut down.

The Dutch Republic officially claimed Saint Helena in 1633. However, they never really settled or built defenses there. By 1651, the Dutch had mostly left the island. They preferred their new colony at the Cape of Good Hope.

The East India Company Takes Control (1658–1815)

The idea for England to claim Saint Helena came up in 1644. By 1649, the East India Company (EIC) told all its ships returning home to meet at Saint Helena. In 1657, the EIC was given permission to govern the island. The next year, they decided to build a fort and start a colony with settlers.

A fleet led by Captain John Dutton arrived in 1659. This is why Saint Helena claims to be Britain's second oldest colony, after Bermuda. A fort, first called the Castle of St John, was built quickly. More houses were also built. It soon became clear that the island couldn't produce enough food on its own. So, the EIC ordered all returning ships to bring rice to the island.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the fort was renamed James Fort, the town Jamestown, and the valley James Valley. This was to honor the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England. The EIC got a Royal Charter in 1661, giving them the right to fortify and colonize the island. Each settler received land. But the Company had trouble attracting new people. By 1670, the population was only 66, including 18 slaves.

Early governors warned the Company about problems with the settlers. One governor complained they were drunkards. In 1672, rebellious islanders even sent Governor Coney back to England.

The Dutch East India Company invaded Saint Helena from their Cape colony in late 1672. Governor Beale had to leave the island. But he found an EIC fleet and they took the island back in May 1673. The EIC then sent 250 more troops. That same year, King Charles II of England gave the Company a new Charter. This made Saint Helena part of England. The Company could send supplies and settlers to the island without paying customs fees.

In 1674, more settlers and soldiers rebelled. Luckily, an EIC fleet arrived and helped free the acting governor. By 1675, a part-time local army was formed. This allowed the number of permanent soldiers to be reduced.

In 1676, the famous scientist Edmond Halley visited Saint Helena. He set up an observatory with a large telescope. He observed 341 stars in the Southern Hemisphere. A hill on the island is now named Halley's Mount after him.

One of the main taxes on imports was a requirement for ships from Madagascar to deliver one slave. Slaves also came from Asia. By 1679, there were about 80 slaves. In 1684, soldiers and settlers rebelled again. Some mutineers were killed, and others were executed.

War with France in 1689 meant ships from Asia avoided the island. This made it hard for soldiers to get back to Britain after their service. In 1693, a group of rebellious soldiers seized a ship and escaped. The governor was killed during this escape. Slaves also faced harsh punishments. Rumors of a slave uprising in 1694 led to the execution of three slaves and cruel treatment of many others.

Cutting down the native forests for alcohol, tanning, and farming led to wood shortages by the 1680s. Rats and goats became a huge problem, destroying crops and young trees. Efforts to replant trees didn't work well. By 1710, a large forest called the Great Wood had no trees left.

In 1718, a huge rainstorm caused a flood, showing the problem of soil erosion. Several years of drought and the island's dependence on outside supplies led Governor Isaac Pyke to suggest moving the population to Mauritius in 1715. But because of wars, the Company kept supporting the island for its important location. In 1731, a law was passed to protect woodlands by reducing the goat population. Despite floods linked to deforestation, the East India Company didn't do much to solve the goat problem. Rats were also a big issue. In 1743, a plague outbreak was blamed on infected rats from ships.

William Dampier visited Saint Helena in 1691. He described Jamestown as having 20-30 small houses. These houses were only used when ships arrived. He noted that women born on the island really wanted to leave. They could only do this by marrying sailors or passengers.

In 1708, a new "United Company of Merchants of England, trading to the East Indies" was formed. Saint Helena was transferred to this new company. Around this time, work began on the current Castle. In 1709, a soldier claimed to have found gold and silver. This led to a short "gold rush," but the metals turned out to be worthless.

A census in 1723 showed that out of 1,110 people, 610 were slaves. Governor Isaac Pyke (1731–1738) was strict but successfully planted more trees, improved defenses, and made the army stronger. In 1733, Green Tipped Bourbon Coffee seeds were brought from Mocha in Yemen. These plants grew well on the island.

Governor Robert Jenkins (1740–1742) worked to stop corruption and improve defenses. The island's first hospital was built in 1742. Governor Charles Hutchinson (1747–1764) improved farming and made the island's laws more like England's. However, racial discrimination continued. It wasn't until 1787 that black people were allowed to speak against white people in court.

In 1758, three French warships waited near the island to attack the Company's fleet. In 1761, scientists Nevil Maskelyne and Robert Waddington set up an observatory to watch the transit of Venus. However, clouds blocked their view.

During its busiest time, thousands of ships stopped at Saint Helena each year. The governor tried to manage the many visitors and limit the drinking of alcohol made from potatoes.

Governor John Skottowe (1764–1782) tried to control alcohol sales. This led to some soldiers leaving. Some escaped to Brazil in 1770. Around this time, the island began a long period of success. A new church, St James', was built in 1774. It is now the oldest Anglican church south of the Equator. Captain James Cook visited the island in 1775.

In 1787, Governor Daniel Corneille banned soldiers and sailors from certain pubs. This led to a mutiny over Christmas. About 200 troops fought with loyal troops for three days. Many mutineers were sentenced to death, and one in ten was executed.

Saul Solomon arrived around 1790 and started the Solomon's company, which became very important. Captain Bligh visited in 1792, bringing breadfruit trees to Jamaica. That same year, it became illegal to import slaves.

In 1795, Governor Robert Brooke learned that the French had taken over the Netherlands. Some Saint Helena troops were sent to help capture the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope. The island's defenses were improved, and a new signaling system was introduced.

By 1800, the Saint Helena Regiment had grown to 1,000 men. Every able-bodied man also joined the local militia.

In 1807, a fleet of ships brought measles to the island. Many people died, especially "Blacks." Since importing slaves was illegal, Governor Robert Patton suggested bringing Chinese laborers to work on farms. The first Chinese laborers arrived in 1810. By 1818, there were about 600. Many stayed after 1836 and became part of the island's population.

Governor Alexander Beatson (1808–1813) banned the sale of strong alcohol. This led to another mutiny in 1811. About 250 troops rebelled, and nine leaders were executed. The next governor, Mark Wilks (1813–1816), improved farming, started rebuilding, and opened the first public library. In 1814, the population was 3,507.

Napoleon's Exile and British Rule (1815–1834)

Napoleon at Saint Helena.

Longwood House, Saint Helena: where Napoleon was held captive.

In 1815, the British government chose Saint Helena as the place to imprison Napoleon Bonaparte. He arrived in October 1815 and lived at Longwood House. He died there on May 5, 1821.

During Napoleon's time, the island had many British soldiers and Navy ships. The British government paid for everything related to Napoleon and the island's security. This brought a lot of business to the island.

In 1817, a census showed 821 white people, 820 soldiers, 618 Chinese workers, 500 free black people, and 1,540 slaves. In 1818, Governor Lowe started the process of freeing slaves. He convinced slave owners to free all children born after Christmas that year once they became teenagers.

After Napoleon died, many temporary residents, like soldiers, left. The East India Company took full control again. Life returned to how it was before 1815. The population dropped, which changed the economy. Governors Thomas Brooke and Alexander Walker helped the island through this period. They opened a new farmer's market, started an Agricultural Society, and improved education. Even though slave importation was banned in 1792, the complete freeing of slaves didn't happen until 1827. This was six years before slavery was banned in all British colonies.

An attempt to start a whaling industry in 1830 failed. Saint Helena coffee became popular in Paris after Napoleon praised it during his exile.

Saint Helena Becomes a Crown Colony (1834–1981)

In 1833, the British Parliament passed a law that transferred control of Saint Helena from the East India Company to the British Crown. This took effect in 1836. Major-General George Middlemore became the first governor appointed by the British government. He dismissed the local Saint Helena Regiment and cut costs, which meant many officers lost their jobs. This led to a long period where people who could afford it left the island for better opportunities. The population slowly fell from 6,150 in 1817 to less than 4,000 by 1890. Charles Darwin visited the island for six days in 1836 during his voyage on HMS Beagle.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 greatly reduced the number of ships stopping at Saint Helena. Steamships, which didn't rely on wind, also contributed to this decline. The island's importance and economy suffered. The number of ships calling at the island dropped significantly.

In 1839, London coffee merchants praised Saint Helena coffee for its "very superior quality." In 1840, the British government set up a naval station at Saint Helena to stop the African slave trade. A court was set up in Jamestown to try the crews of slave ships. Between 1840 and 1849, over 15,000 freed slaves were brought to the island. Many died there. Some who survived were sent to Cape Town and the British West Indies as workers. About 500 stayed on Saint Helena and found jobs.

Also in 1840, Napoleon's body was returned to France. His body was in excellent condition when it was exhumed.

A new Saint Helena Regiment was formed in 1842. There was another measles outbreak in 1843. In 1845, Saint Helena coffee was the most expensive in the world. In 1846, St James' church was repaired, and a steeple was added. That same year, huge waves destroyed 13 ships in Jamestown bay. A census in 1851 showed 6,914 people living on the island. In 1859, the Diocese of St Helena was created for the island and its dependencies.

The land where Napoleon was buried and where he lived at Longwood House was given to Napoleon III and his family in 1858. A French representative has lived on the island ever since, and the French flag flies over these areas. The Briars Pavilion, where Napoleon first lived, was given to the French government in 1959.

Saint Helena coffee won an award at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. The first postage stamp for the island was issued in 1856.

By the 1860s, it became clear that wood from some old slave ships was infested with termites. These "white ants" caused many buildings to collapse and led to a lot of damage for decades. New buildings had to use iron and termite-proof wood. The termite problem still exists today.

The British naval station left in 1864. The Liberated African Station closed ten years later. This caused the economy to get worse. An earthquake was recorded in 1864. In 1871, the Royal Engineers built Jacob's Ladder, a steep path with 700 steps from Jamestown to Knoll Mount Fort. A census in 1881 showed 5,059 people. Jonathan, believed to be the world's oldest tortoise, arrived in 1882.

Measles outbreaks occurred in 1886. Jamestown got its first lights in 1888. Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, a Zulu king's son, was exiled to Saint Helena from 1890 to 1897. Diphtheria and whooping cough outbreaks caused child deaths in the 1890s. In 1890, a large rockfall killed nine people in Jamestown.

In 1899, a submarine cable connecting Britain to Cape Town was landed on the island. For the next two years, over six thousand Boer prisoners were held at Deadwood and Broadbottom. The island's population reached a record high of 9,850 in 1901. Islanders and Boers developed a good relationship. Some Boers even chose to stay after the war ended in 1902. A severe flu outbreak in 1900 killed many islanders but didn't affect the Boer prisoners or their guards.

The departure of the Boers and the removal of the remaining soldiers in 1906 hurt the island's economy. However, the successful return of the flax industry in 1907 helped a lot. Lace making was also encouraged as an island industry. In 1910, a project to produce cured mackerel failed. In 1911, a ship called S.S. Papanui caught fire in James Bay. Its 364 passengers and crew were rescued and cared for on the island. A census in 1911 showed the population had fallen to 3,520.

During World War I, the Saint Helena Volunteer Corps was restarted. About 46 islanders volunteered to fight abroad. The Sultan of Zanzibar, Seyyid Khalid Bin Barghash, was exiled to Saint Helena from 1917 to 1921. The 1918 flu pandemic did not reach Saint Helena.

In 1921, the first islanders left to work on Ascension Island, which became a dependency of Saint Helena in 1922. Thomas R. Bruce, an islander, designed a postage stamp in 1922. South African money became legal on the island in 1923. The first car, an Austin 7, was imported in 1929. A census in 1931 showed a population of 3,995. Tristan da Cunha became a dependency of Saint Helena in 1938.

During World War II, six islanders died. The German warship Admiral Graf Spee was seen passing the island in 1939. A British oil tanker was torpedoed off Jamestown bay in 1941. The island's flax industry again brought in more money.

In 1945, there was a polio outbreak with 217 cases and 11 deaths. A census in 1946 showed 4,748 people. In 1951, mumps affected 90% of the population. Flax prices peaked in 1951 but then declined due to competition from synthetic fibers. The island's flax mills closed in 1965. Many acres are still covered with flax plants.

From 1958, the Union Castle shipping line gradually reduced its calls to the island. In 1957, another attempt to operate a fish cannery failed. In 1957, three Bahrain princes were held as prisoners by Britain until 1960. A census in 1966 showed a population of 4,649.

In 1969, the first elections were held for the Legislative Council. By 1976, the population had grown slightly to 5,147. Curnow Shipping took over the mailship service in 1977, using the RMS St Helena. The spire of St James' church was removed in 1980 due to weakness. The St Helena Ebony, a native flowering plant thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in 1981.

Saint Helena: From 1981 to Today

In 1981, a new British law changed Saint Helena's status. Islanders lost their full British citizenship and their right to live in Britain. For the next 20 years, many could only find low-paying jobs on the island. The only work overseas was on the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island. Some people called the island the "South Atlantic Alcatraz" during this time.

In 1982, the RMS St Helena was used to help during the Falklands Conflict. The entire crew volunteered. Prince Andrew first visited the island in 1984.

The 1987 census showed the island's population was 5,644. In 1988, the Development & Economic Planning Department was formed. It helps improve living standards through education and planning. Also in 1988, the Prince Andrew School opened for students aged 12 and older.

Prince Andrew launched the new RMS St Helena in 1989. This ship was built for the Cardiff–Cape Town route. In 1995, the ship's main base was moved to Cape Town.

The 1988 Saint Helena Constitution came into effect in 1989. It set up a Governor, an Executive Council, and a Legislative Council. The Governor had to follow the advice of the Executive Council in most cases.

In 1992, a group was formed to restore full citizenship for islanders. In 1993, research began on how television affected children's behavior. It found that island children remained hardworking and well-behaved. Family and community were more important than TV in shaping their behavior. The Island of Saint Helena Coffee Company was founded in 1994.

In 1997, the problem of unemployment on Saint Helena gained attention. There were reports of a small protest when islanders believed the Governor had rejected plans for an airport.

When Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, the British government promised to restore citizenship for people in its Dependent Territories. This happened with the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. Islanders got their full passports back. The Saint Helena National Trust was also formed that year to protect the island's unique environment and culture. A census in 1998 showed 5,157 people.

In January 2002, islanders voted for an airport to be built. The island's museum opened that same year. The Bank of Saint Helena started operations in 2004. In April 2005, the British Government announced plans to build an airport to boost the island's economy. The airport was finally completed in 2016. The first scheduled commercial flight landed on October 14, 2017. However, due to strong winds, only smaller aircraft are used for flights from South Africa. Passenger service on the Royal Mail ship stopped in 2018.

A census in 2008 showed the population had fallen to 4,255. In 2008, about 200 tons of rock fell from a cliff in Jamestown, damaging buildings. Plans were made to secure the cliffs.

Travel to the island used to require a long boat trip. Now, with the airport, it's a five-hour flight from South Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 severely affected tourism, which was meant to help the island's economy grow.

Royal Visitors to Saint Helena

Islanders are very loyal to the British monarchy. The first royal visit might have been by Prince Rupert of the Rhine in the 1600s. Rupert's Bay is named after him.

Many other royals have visited:

• Prince François, Prince of Joinville came in 1840 to take Napoleon's body back to France.
• Prince Alfred visited in 1860.
• Empress Eugénie (Napoleon III's widow) arrived in 1880.
• Prince Henry of Prussia arrived in 1880.
• The Duke of Connaught arrived in 1911.
• The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) visited in 1925.

King George VI is the only reigning monarch to visit the island. This was in 1947. He was with Queen Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth II), and Princess Margaret.

The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in 1957. His son Prince Andrew visited in 1984. His sister, the Princess Royal, arrived in 2002.

Media History on Saint Helena

The Saint Helena Press was started in 1806. It published government notices and newspapers. The first island newspaper, the St Helena Advocate and Weekly Journal of News, started in 1851. Many early newspapers didn't last long. The St Helena Guardian (1861–1925) was the longest-running paper.

Church magazines also provided island news. Radio St Helena began broadcasting on Christmas Day 1967. It shared news and music. Saint FM Radio launched in 2005, broadcasting news and music across the island and beyond. Both the St Helena Herald and the St Helena Independent newspapers could be read online.

In 2008, the government said media outlets had to choose between government funding or advertising. This led to changes for the newspapers and radio stations. The St Helena Herald closed in 2012. Saint FM and Radio St Helena also closed in late 2012.

However, SaintFM Community Radio launched in March 2013, taking over the old Saint FM studios. As of 2020, there are three active radio stations: S.A.M.S. Radio 1 (news and entertainment), S.A.M.S. Radio 2 (BBC World Service), and SaintFM Community Radio.

Communication and Television

One company, Sure South Atlantic, provides internet, mobile phone, and television services for the island.

In 2019, the government signed a contract with Google to connect Saint Helena to a fiber optic cable. This project was funded by the European Development Fund. The cable arrived in August 2021, and the island has been connected since September 2023.

Saint Helena's Ecological Importance

Saint Helena has been very important for understanding how humans affect the Earth's environment. When the island was discovered, it was a very isolated and untouched place. Because it was small, scientists could study how humans and time changed it.

Historian Richard Grove explains that the cutting down of forests on Saint Helena showed for the first time how much damage humans can do. The work of Georg Forster and Johann Reinhold Forster on Captain Cook's voyage in 1775 was very important. This voyage marked the beginning of environmental protection ideas.

The Forsters initially thought nature affected human development. But their discoveries on Saint Helena showed the opposite: humans had a huge impact on nature. After human activity reached Saint Helena, the Forsters noticed floods from removing plants and the mass killing of turtles. This led to a basic understanding of how important plant cover is in tropical areas.

The Forster expedition started the study of Saint Helena's environment. Scientists have continued to study the island. Because the island has been so affected by human actions, scientists have tried to figure out what the original plant life was like. Studies suggest that because the island is volcanic, all its original plants must have come from somewhere else. It's most likely they came from southern Africa due to the winds and currents.