"An Act of States, dated March the 1st of that year regulating matters connected with the Gorey oyster bed and the laying down and preservation of new ones at Grouville –in order evidently to recuperate the trade which since the year .1834 had been falling off, chiefly owing to successful opposition from the French side—had been forwarded to England for confirmation; and a long delay in this necessary procedure ensuing, the captains of the different boats engaged in the work and the oyster fishermen became thereby exasperated....." (Chronique de Jersey)
Having recently been to an excellent talk on Jersey Oysters and its destruction through overfishing, I thought today I'd have one from the archive, from 2004, when I wrote a poem about one of the most notable incidents.
The Battle of the Oyster Shells
The Royal Bay of Grouville stands
With miles of golden flowing sands
But once this saw a mighty trade
Now eclipsed in history’s shade.
Once sail furled, and anchors down
A fishing industry of some renown
Large schooners made this place a berth
In oysters they found much of worth.
The oyster farmers settled here
Built village on the shore so near
Took oysters as fast as they were able
To feed Victorian’s dining table
Having recently been to an excellent talk on Jersey Oysters and its destruction through overfishing, I thought today I'd have one from the archive, from 2004, when I wrote a poem about one of the most notable incidents.
The Battle of the Oyster Shells
The Royal Bay of Grouville stands
With miles of golden flowing sands
But once this saw a mighty trade
Now eclipsed in history’s shade.
Once sail furled, and anchors down
A fishing industry of some renown
Large schooners made this place a berth
In oysters they found much of worth.
The oyster farmers settled here
Built village on the shore so near
Took oysters as fast as they were able
To feed Victorian’s dining table
But riches made from Table d’hôte
Made men greedy and cut throat
All coming for the oyster trade
Of overfishing, unafraid.
And so in Eighteen Thirty Four
The States of Jersey passed a law
To give the oysters time to grow
Upon the seabed’s tidal flow.
The captains chose to carry on
Dredging again the beds thereon.
And they ignored the Constable
Carried on as fast as they were able.
So came the army with their guns
Loud the sound of their explosions
The oyster men stopped their attempt
Surrendered to the regiment.
Major General Campbell was in charge
To see that no one was left at large
But directing troops, he caught a cold
And with in a month did death behold.
Such was the Battle of the Oyster Shells
Now distant history, time’s farewells
Leaving no trace upon the sand
Only the village remains inland.
Made men greedy and cut throat
All coming for the oyster trade
Of overfishing, unafraid.
And so in Eighteen Thirty Four
The States of Jersey passed a law
To give the oysters time to grow
Upon the seabed’s tidal flow.
The captains chose to carry on
Dredging again the beds thereon.
And they ignored the Constable
Carried on as fast as they were able.
So came the army with their guns
Loud the sound of their explosions
The oyster men stopped their attempt
Surrendered to the regiment.
Major General Campbell was in charge
To see that no one was left at large
But directing troops, he caught a cold
And with in a month did death behold.
Such was the Battle of the Oyster Shells
Now distant history, time’s farewells
Leaving no trace upon the sand
Only the village remains inland.
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