Rescued rower and millionaire Titanic traveller's stories revealed

Monday 23 September 2019

The little-known stories of a Jerseywoman who miraculously turned up in Canada after going missing for days following a romantic rowing trip around St. Helier, and a local millionairess who took a first class trip on the Titanic, have been uncovered in a new book.

Their tales are being shared ‘Jersey: Secrets of the Sea’ – the latest book from local author Paul Darroch, who has dived deep into the island’s maritime history to learn about local seafarers and their adventures.

The book came to life on a dark October night in 2017, just after Paul had finished his first. Searching for a theme that could bind together a sequel, Paul happened upon the legend of the lost manor of La Brecquette at l’Etacq in St. Ouen, swept away by the seas on a stormy medieval night.

“That story abruptly seized my imagination,” he explained. “As I sat there reading, I knew that somewhere in the bay beyond, the tide was rising. The sea, I realised, was the binding thread, the constant presence, in Jersey’s history. At that moment, [the book] started to take shape in my mind.”

The author then started researching different stories with Jersey Library – “a treasure trove of knowledge” – being his first port of call.

“So many compelling stories from the Island’s history are lying in its research folders, just waiting to be discovered,” Paul said. “I would scour autobiographies, diaries and old newspapers to recapture some of the power and immediacy of the past. Then I would shut off the outside world, put on my headphones, and write. I always listen to music. I can’t imagine writing without it.”

With such an abundance of compelling stories to hand - the story of the island itself is shaped by the sea, Paul says – the writer says the real challenge was deciding which ones to include. “There are more than enough tales left over for a second volume,” he told Express.

“Some stories were just crying out to be told – the Titanic chapter is an obvious example, with the two stories of the St. Ouen quartermaster on the bridge of the Titanic, and the Jersey millionairess slumbering in her first-class cabin,” Paul explained. “The fatal moment when the ship struck the iceberg is one of the most celebrated moments in popular culture and cinema – how could I not want to write about it?"

Pictured: Paul at the launch of his book at Jersey Library, where he researched most of his stories.

The book includes “epic story arcs”, such as Elinor Glyn’s, who went from the modest birthplace on St. Saviour’s Road all the way to Hollywood; glimpses into lesser known facets of Sir Walter Raleigh’s life; as well as curious local incidents like the Battle of the Oyster Shells in Grouville Bay.

“I always like to include a mix of the world-famous people and events with a Jersey connection, along with some lesser known ‘hidden histories’,” Paul said.

While Paul enjoys all of the stories, among his favourites is the story of T.B. Davis, “the schoolboy who was told off for stealing chestnuts from the grounds of Plaisance, a Jersey house, and sent to scrub boots as a punishment."

"He was so enraged by the injustice of it all that he vowed that one day he would tear that house down, brick by brick, stone by stone. And so he set off on his adventures, travelling to Africa and making his fortune, and, eventually, as an old man, he came back and kept his word. The house was demolished, brick by brick, and he turned its gardens into a park. This he named in honour of his late son, Howard Davis.”

Pictured: The cover of 'Secrets of the Sea'.

There is also the story of  Louisa Journeaux, a young Victorian lady who went sailing in a rowing boat in St Helier with her French boyfriend on a Sunday evening.

“Suddenly disaster strikes: he swims to the shore and she vanishes over the horizon,” Paul said. “Weeks pass, all hope is lost. Then, one day, a telegraph message arrives from Newfoundland, thousands of miles away. By a miracle, Louisa has been rescued by a ship from Saint Malo, which has whisked her across the ocean to Canada. It’s a wonderful Victorian story.”

Having recently launched the book there, Paul will be returning to Jersey Library on Wednesday at 18:00 as part of the Festival of Words.

And, he explains, a third book may not be so far off. “What will it be about? Jersey, and its rich and tumultuous history. Other than that, I’m not saying a word," he teases.

“I love discovering Jersey’s forgotten stories and sharing them, especially when speaking to an audience. The greatest satisfaction you can have as a writer or speaker is when someone is lost in your story and they are disappointed when it comes to an end. If people really enjoy your books, that’s the greatest feedback you can ask for.”