The recorded history of the area goes way back to 1460 when Vasco da Gama and his crewmen came ashore to trade with locals for fresh supplies. They named the bay ‘Bahi da Santa Elena” after the religious mother of Constant the Great. Da Gama(then about forty years of age) was en route to INDIA TO ESTABLISH A TRADE ROUTE BETWEEN Portugal and the East via the southern tip of Africa, as commanded by King Manuel of Portugal.
Although fishing-related trade occurred here as early as 1800, ‘modern’ development began here in 1908 when the Stephan Brothers (of Italian origin) established the first local fish factory, at the place now known as Steenburgs’ Cove. Workers lived in the ten-roomed barracks built for English soldiers during British occupation – named Soldatepost, this building has been declared an historical monument and will be restored when funds are available.
The first local school(dual medium) was established in 1860 in Steenbergs’ Cove for sixty-four children of European and Coloured families, who studied accounting, English, Afrikaans, etc..
By the middle of the last century there were enough families in Stompneus Bay to arrant the establishing of another school, and in 1953 local factories sponsored the building of HP Williams Junior School. Named after the manager of the largest local fish factory, the building served as both school and church for many years. At its heyday the school housed some 105 learners. Since then other junior schools have been built (-St. Helena Bay is home to over 10 000 souls). For further education, learners attend high school in Vredenburg |
