By Sea to the Channel Islands

The sea passage between England and the Channel Islands has long provided a lifeline link for the island communities across some of the most treacherous waters around these coasts. The story of these shipping routes is one of periods of intense competition and quieter monopoly, wartime drama and tragic accidents, across a broad range of routes leaving from the West Country to London. For many years services were closely linked to the operations of English railway companies, being instrumental in building tourism to the islands, whilst supporting the development of growing industries in both Guernsey and Jersey. 'Channel Islands - by Sea' brings together for the first time the full history of these routes from the earliest days of packet services to modern catamaran operations, through fresh research and insight into this remarkable story.