The Scottish port of Eyemouth suffered Britain’s worst-ever fishing disaster when 189 men and boys perished on what locals still call Black Friday. Brian W Lavery recalls the tragedy Eyemouth’s fishermen were renowned as takers of great risks and getters…
Many of the classic wooden boats built by the Dixon’s yard in the 1960s and 1970s are still going strong – and still fishing. Mark Blanchard reports There aren’t many ports along the south coast between Salcombe and Newhaven, or…
Tom Watson, who skippered the Wyre Victory FD 181 during the second Cod War of 1972-3, recalls an encounter with an Icelandic gunboat in which Britain came out best Tom Watson. There had been a lot in the press of…
In the ‘Dark Winter’ of 1968, three Hull trawlers perished in as many weeks. Fifty-eight men died in the Triple Trawler Disaster, triggering a transformative safety campaign led by Lillian Bilocca. Brian W Lavery reflects on the story… Marching on…
Photojournalist Tony Fitzsimmons documents observations and conversations from an early-summer trip onboard the SWFPO beam trawler Mollie Jayne The Mollie Jayne prepares to leave Brixham for an eight-day trip under a clear blue sky. The South Western Fish Producers’ Organisation…
The Mission’s book, Salty Cove, gives a glimpse of life for fishers and shore workers at Mevagissey. Phil Lockley paid the Cornish port a visit to find out more… The choice of Mevagissey for the Mission’s latest fundraising book was…
On 22 January, Hull’s Hessle Road celebrated one of its own when a plaque was unveiled at the former home of Lillian Bilocca, who led the successful campaign for better safety at sea after the 1968 Triple Trawler Disaster. Her biographer…
110 years ago this month, a Hull trawler perished when she ran aground after crewmen mistook deadly white cliffs for snow. Brian W Lavery tells of the Diamond, the skipper who saved every soul aboard – and what became of…
Looking for a Christmas present? After the success of the limited-edition hardback version of Folkestone’s Fishing Industry Past and Present, the book is also available in paperback with two extra pictures. Written by Frank Bond, John Gale and Alan Taylor,…
One hundred and forty years ago this month, the Scottish port of Eyemouth suffered Britain’s worst ever fishing disaster, when 189 men and boys perished on what locals still call Black Friday. Brian W Lavery recalls the tragedy Eyemouth’s fishermen…
