Grimsby Fishing Docks

G R I M S B Y SUMMER 2013

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN’S FINEST PORT

Grimsby has long been one of the most important Fish Docks in Europe, renowned for quality and diversity of its fish. It attracts fish supplies from both UK and continental ports and is one of Europe’s premier fishing & fish processing centres. The port is in an ideal location, close to the mouth of the Humber and is the major port and market closest to the Midlands and South of England.

T

RIBY STREET, GRIMSBY

THE CATCH H The Grimsby Landing Company is responsible for all the employment and allocation of labour to land fishing vessels in the port of Grimsby which cater for the small type sein net vessels from 18m in length up to the larger Deep Water Vessels of approximately 70m whether landing fresh bulk fish, boxed or frozen blocks. The experienced labour force normally commence work at midnight or at 21.00 hours on the larger voyages (i.e) 2,000 kit and upwards depending on the total quantity of fish to be landed that day.The Port of Grimsby and Immingham is the UK’s largest port by tonnage.

Its prime deep-water location on the Humber Estuary, one of Europe’s busiest trade routes, gives companies direct access to mainland Europe and beyond. It plays a central role in the commercial life of the UK. The port is operated by Associated British Portss , the UK’s largest and leading ports group. Grimsby and Immingham, and ABP’s 19 other ports, form a UK-wide network capable of handling every conceivable type of cargo.

AS LANDED!

7 GRIMSBY SUMMER 2013

THE

FO’C’S’LE Steaming homeward was the decklands chance for a well-earned rest in the FO’C’S’LE. The snap on the left is the crew’s quarters bedecked with family snaps, football teams and glamorous pinup girls. Domino and card-playing schools were set up, after a good sleep and meal. Crib, brag or canasta were played, for duty-free cigs, in the mess deck. In the FO’C’S’LE, some quietly read paperbacks. Cowboys books were popular between 30 and 40 were enjoyed by some men during a trip.

THE LUMPERS

After the trawler docked, lumpers landed its catch in Grimsby and Fleetwood. In Hull, they were called bobbers. They set about their work with gusto. The lumpers worked in gangs of fourteen - each man with a vital role in getting the catch from the fish-room onto the market. Depending on the size of the trawler’s catch, as many as 114 men might be set to work on the vessel. They began in the early hours of the morning - in the coolest part of the day. Four fish-room men kept a hatch-way man busy. He swung the full basket to a catcher. It was unhooked and dragged along planks to the quay. From there a team of ‘draggers’ got the fish stacked in boxes ready for the merchants to buy at the auctions. By the time the last of the lumpers left work, they probably saw trawlermen coming on the dock to collect their settling pay.

SUMMER 2013 GRIMSBY 10

GORTON STREET, GRIMSBY

THE GALLEY The cook is the second most important man aboard a trawler. it was essential that the hard working crew ate well-cooked nourishing food. otherwise, agruments amongst the crew could ruin a trip. Galley work was not wihtout its dangers. if the trawler was suddenly hit by a giant wave, the struggling cook might be sent flying with a pan of boiling water in his hands. The risk of serious scalding was ever-present in the galley. Pots and pans were firmly battened down. The cook was assisted by a galley boy who helped prepare the food and clear up. Together, they baked tasty bread every morning, and brewed endless pots of strong tea throughout the busy working day.

GRIMSBY SUMMER 2013