Jacob's Ladder (Saint Helena)

Jacob's Ladder is a Grade I listed staircase leading from Jamestown, Saint Helena, up the side of Ladder Hill to Ladder Hill Fort. The name is a reference to the biblical Jacob's Ladder, a ladder extending to heaven.[1]

For other locations named Jacob's Ladder, see Jacob's Ladder (disambiguation).

Jacob's Ladder
The view down Jacob's Ladder,
looking onto Jamestown
Overview
OwnerSaint Helena Railway Company
LocaleJamestown, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Coordinates15.9256°S 5.7192°W / -15.9256; -5.7192
Termini
Stations2
Service
TypeFunicular
Rolling stock2 cars
History
Opened1829 (1829)
Closed1871 (1871)
Technical
Line length281.6 metres (924 ft)
Highest elevation183 metres (600 ft)
Maximum incline87% (41°)

The ladder is all that remains of a cable railway that was built there in the early 1800s.[2] Its tracks and cars were later removed, although the stairs have remained in place and have become a tourist attraction connecting Jamestown and the suburb of Half Tree Hollow at the top of the hill.

History and description

Designed by the local engineer J. W. Hoar, the Saint Helena Railway Company built a two-car inclined plane, 924 feet (281.6 m)-long, in 1829 to carry cargo between Jamestown and the fort. The cars rode on a pair of iron-plated fir rails, laid on wooden sleepers anchored into the rock of the valley wall, that were separated by a staircase of 700 steps for pedestrians. The angle of ascent varied between 39 and 41 degrees. Motive power was provided by a team of three donkeys at the top that rotated a capstan connected to the cars by an iron chain and pulleys.[2][3]

Termite damage to the sleepers caused the Royal Engineers to remove the cars, rails and associated machinery in 1871, and it is now known as Jacob's Ladder. Subsequent roadwork covered one step so that only 699 remain. Lights were installed along the sides of the stairs in 2000 and the steps were refurbished in 2006.[1] The staircase has been declared a Grade I listed structure.[4] During the island's annual "Festival of Running", a timed run takes place up Jacob's Ladder, with people coming from around the world to take part. As of 2016, the record time to ascend the stairs is 5 minutes, 16.78 seconds.[1]

  • Looking down at night
    Looking down at night
  • Foot of the ladder in Jamestown
    Foot of the ladder in Jamestown
  • From the harbour
    From the harbour
  • View while climbing
    View while climbing
  • From behind the prison
    From behind the prison
  • Plaque in Jamestown
    Plaque in Jamestown

See also

References
  1. "Jacob's Ladder". sainthelenaisland.info. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  2. "Articles about the Ladder Hill incline in the Mechanics Magazine 1832 and 1834". www.railwaysofthefarsouth.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  3. Azéma, Michel. "(SH) St. Helena - Ladder Hill Railway (1829) - Funimag photoblog". Funimag photoblog. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  4. "Saint Helena Historical Environmental Record". www.blackfreighter.net. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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