RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lincolnshire => Topic started by: Blue Jacket on Saturday 17 July 10 19:25 BST (UK)

Title: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Saturday 17 July 10 19:25 BST (UK)
Hi.
    I am researching the maritime & fishing history of Sheringham in Norfolk with the view of giving the end result to the new Sheringham Museum.

During the 1800's Sheringham fishermen worked from Grimsby in their luggers and dandy's and eventually several fishing families moved from Sheringham to Grimsby and the surrounding area to carry on fishing.

If anyone has any information they are willing to pass on about the vessels used, such as names, size, build date etc  it will be much appreciated. A few families took their crab boats and worked in the Humber, any information about these will also be appreciated.

Regards
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: keith110639 on Sunday 18 July 10 11:51 BST (UK)
Hi Blue Jacket,
I am researching the maritime history of the River Welland & Spalding, Lincolnshire. Most of the vessels from Spalding which came under the Port of Boston were registered at Boston. The Ships registers for Boston from 1827 to 1892 are at the Lincolnshire Archives with some on microfilm. The registers give vessels name, builder, type of vessel, measurement & tonnage, owner, & Master at measurement date. I expect most of the Sherringham vessels would have been registered at Yarmouth as I see from your picture the vessels reg is YH. Perhaps you can find some information from the Norfolk Archives or maybe they are still held at Yarmouth.
Good luck with you research.
Keith
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Sunday 18 July 10 20:46 BST (UK)
Hi Keith.
            Thanks for your message.  All the shipping registers for Norfolk are held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich and I have spent many hours searching through them and have  exhausted this vein of information and now looking for other sources.

I was hoping some of the descendants of the families who moved to Grimsby from Sheringham would have some information they are willing to pass on.

The result of my research will be deposited with Sheringham Museum for the use of future researchers.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: keith110639 on Monday 19 July 10 12:43 BST (UK)
Hi Blue Jacket,
Glad you have been able to view the ships registers. I spent half a day looking at the first of 4 Boston ones. It was the actual book (I have a problem reading microfilm) from 1827 to 1834. A huge volume that the girl at the archives had a job to lift it onto the counter. Need to get back to search through the other 3 for Spalding owned vessels.
Regards
Keith
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Monday 19 July 10 13:49 BST (UK)
Hi Keith.
            Thanks for your reply. I know what you mean about reading micro film as I am visually impaired and can only read documents with a strong magnifying glass. Over the last three years I have searched through ship registers for Well in North Norfolk, Blakeney & Cley in North Norfolk and Great Yarmouth, approx ten shipping registers in total. Although it was hard going at times I found it very enjoyable and came up with some interesting facts and found over 100 large fishing vessels owned at Sheringham during the 1800's.

There are most certainly more fishing vessels out there that were owned at Sheringham, but registered at other ports such as Grimsby, Hull, Scarborough & Whitby etc. These are the vessels I am now looking for and any other Sheringham maritime history that is floating about.

Good luck with your research and I hope you will get as much help from other researchers as I have had. Some have been very helpful, not always coming up with information, but pointing me in the direction of where to search.

Regards
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Geoff-E on Monday 19 July 10 14:29 BST (UK)
I don't know if there's anything useful to be found here http://tinyurl.com/2w42o2w

Try different years and different towns in the search boxes and see if anything turns up :)
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Monday 19 July 10 18:31 BST (UK)
Not sure as to the relevance of this, but movement of the fleets seems to have taken place from time to time. In 1924 the Boston Deepsea Fishing co.relocated to Fleetwood, Lancs.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Monday 19 July 10 21:25 BST (UK)
Hi Geoff-E.
                Thanks for the lenk to the Lloyds Registers, much appreciated and will certainly spend some time going through them.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.


Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Monday 19 July 10 21:29 BST (UK)
Hi Redroger.
                  Thanks for the information about the Boston Deep Sea Fisahing Company. The fishing vessels I am researching came from Sheringham in North Norfolk during the 19th century and earlier.

Regards
Blue Kacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: keith110639 on Tuesday 20 July 10 07:39 BST (UK)
Hi Blue Jacket,
In the book "Humber Shipping" by Arthur Credland in the chapter about lifesaving etc there is a photo with the caption "The early lifeboat crews made a living fishing off Spurn; they were a mixture of Yorkshire coble fisherman and Norfolk men using the classic Sheringham crab-boat, characterised by having ports for oars rather than thole-pins or row-locks" The photo shows a crab boat named "Littleteddy"
Regards
Keith
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Tuesday 20 July 10 08:18 BST (UK)
Hi keith.
            Thanks for your reply. This is very interesting inrformation about the Sheringham fishermen at Spurn Point with their crab boats. The Sheringham crab boat was unique to the North Norfolk coast and were used for fishing up until recent times. The modern crab boats were motorised, but basicly the design was the same as the old sailing versions. Do you know if the book Humber Shipping is still available?

Many thanks.

Regards.
Blue Jacket
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: keith110639 on Tuesday 20 July 10 12:21 BST (UK)
Hi again,
Not sure if the book is still in print. My copy was 2nd hand and was published in 2001.The photo is credited to the Hull Maritime Museum. Also 2 photo's and details in "East Coast Shipping" by A A C Hedges, published 1974 & 1989, photo's credited to the Newcastle on Tyne City Libraries. Will scan & email to you.
Regards
Keith
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 20 July 10 14:33 BST (UK)
The vessel shown in the photo could be any of the fishing smacks berthed at Boston up to very recent times. The only significant difference being the YH identification.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Tuesday 20 July 10 16:03 BST (UK)
Hi Keith.
            Thanks for the kind off er of scans. In the 1881 census there were two Sheringham fishermen enumerated as lifeboat men at Kilnsea, Joseph Little & George? Bishop.
At the end of the 1800's there was a large population of Sheringham fishermen and their families living in and around Grimsby. The nickname for Sheringham people is Shannock and until the 1970's at least the inshore fishing boats were known as Shannockers in Grimsby.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Tuesday 20 July 10 16:08 BST (UK)
Hi Redroger.
                  Thanks for your reply.I am afraid I do not know what photo you are referring to, perhaps the intended photo did not load properly.  ???

Regards.
Blue Jacket
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 20 July 10 16:50 BST (UK)
The Sheringham crab boat posted by you in rerply No.10. I believe the design goes back to the Vikings, there have been some of these type of ship abandoned in the Haven on the opposite shore to Boston Dock entrance all  my life to my certain  knowledge.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Tuesday 20 July 10 19:25 BST (UK)
Hi Redroger.
                  Sorry. Another senior moment, must be the lack of liquid stimulant in this hot weather.
It is said the design of the Sheringham crab boat go back to the Vikings. They certainly landed in North Norfolk.
The crab boat in the photo is 21' x 8' x 3'. For their size they are a very seaworthy boat and will take some heavy weather and I can speak from experience.

I expect the boats abandoned at Boston Haven are a lot bigger in build and possibly were shrimping smacks. During the 1960's there were still a few motorised smacks working out of Kings Lynn shrimping  and cockling etc.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 21 July 10 11:18 BST (UK)
Yes, I would agree from memory I think the smacks at Boston including those on the Haven would be around 40 feet long.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: a writer on Tuesday 10 May 11 11:35 BST (UK)
Hi Bluejacket

I am also a gentleman on the north norfolk coast - I also have a list of the fishermen that went to grimsby in the 1880s - do you have any more information about them

A writer
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 10 May 11 18:31 BST (UK)
Is it possible to post your list?
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Wednesday 11 May 11 08:59 BST (UK)
Hi a writer.
                  Thank you for your message. Unfortunately I have very little information concerning the fishermen who moved to Grimsby from Sheringham. If you have any information you are willing to pass on  or perhaps publish the list on rootschat so other researchers can benefit. I am sure it will be gratefully received.

Regards. Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 11 May 11 14:40 BST (UK)
Just for the record were there any McKrills (spelling varies) amonst those who went to Grimsby?
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Wednesday 11 May 11 15:32 BST (UK)
Hi Redroger.
                   I have not found the name McKrills etc amongst the fishermen who moved from Sheringham to Grimsby. They were all local names such as West, Little, Bishop, Johnson etc.

Regards. Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 11 May 11 15:34 BST (UK)
Thanks, they are and were something of a mystery. Trawler owners in Grimsby WW1 period.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: a writer on Tuesday 17 May 11 10:21 BST (UK)
Here is the list that I have of the "Grimsby Shannocks" - I hope everyone can read it
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: LuggerB on Sunday 12 June 11 17:39 BST (UK)
Coming late to this so you are probably sorted. I was on Ancestry but came off a while back, but hope to resume shortly. My full info is on that site so I can only give you a little from memory. My ancestors were Shannock fishermen back to 1630, surname Grice. My great grandfather, Robert Henry `King Kong` Grice and his younger brother ` Chicken` Grice were on a lugger in Grimsby, around 1870-ish. If my memory serves me correctly, most of the crew were also from Sheringham given their surnames. The census I think gives the vessel name and the roles of each crew member ( 7 I think ). Anyway, if you think this will help let me know and I`ll get the kosher info from Ancestry.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: a writer on Tuesday 14 June 11 13:08 BST (UK)
Hi LuggerB

Yes it would help and I do know the names you are quoting

Many thanks

a writer
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Tuesday 14 June 11 13:51 BST (UK)
Hi Lugger B.
                   Thanks for your kind offer of  Sheringham fishing information, it will be greatly appreciated.
All my research will be given to Sheringham Museum for the use of future researchers etc.

Regards, Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: LuggerB on Monday 27 June 11 06:58 BST (UK)
Back on Ancestry now so can give you the information I have. In April 1881, my great-grandfather, " King Kong " Grice, and his older brother " Chicken ", were in Grimsby aboard " Reaper " ( YH458 ), a 30-ton dandy cod fishing boat. The skipper was Henry Johnson, 2nd mate was his brother John; the rest of the crew were Robert Davidson, James Farrow and John Gladdin Craske, all Shannocks.
Other craft fishing there were Pledge, Baroda, Volo, Pearl, Perseverence, Whimper, Billow, Advance and Dasher....such evocative names!
On one census I found a list of names on vessels out of Grimsby, unintelligeable names; a mixture of Scandinavian, bad spelling and a bad hand at Scrabble! There were also a few women and children. Any idea what that`s all about?
One thing I noticed about my Sheringham family tree, was that most marriages took place around Christmas, some even on Christmas day. Would this be the small gap for rig changing, from mackerel to cod?
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Monday 27 June 11 15:55 BST (UK)
I was brought up in Boston, fairly near to the docks. It was not unusual for the wives of the ships' officers to accompany them on their voyages, I never saw any children, but no doubt it happened too. Ships from Eastern Europe often had women officers and crew. This was primarily in the 1950s.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Monday 27 June 11 18:12 BST (UK)
Hi LuggerB.
                 Thank you for the very interesting information about your families fishing interests. You mention that several of them got married around Christmas time. It was around this time of the year they changed from herring fishing to longlining for cod.
During December after the home herring  fishing at Sheringham & Gt Yarmouth the Sheringham luggers would go herring catching out of Boston in Lincolnshire until the end of the month. This was before Grimsby was developed as a fishing port around 1851. If the fishing was still good some boats carried on herring fishing from Boston, but the majority made up and came home to change their fishing gear. They then went longlining for cod down the North Sea, working from Scarborough & Whitby until it was time to start crabbing. Incidentally it was two old Sheringham fishermen who introduced crab pots to the fishermen of Whitby.
The following may be connected to your Grices.
SEA FLOWER” – 9027 Yawl built at Whitby 1843. Registered at Whitby. Owned – James Grice of Sheringham 1865. 1874.
Norwich Mercury.  24th May 1850.
Yarmouth Notes.
The revenue cutter “Prince of Wales”  Lt John Allen brought into harbour (Great Yarmouth) the “Sea Flower”  having on board 172 parcels of leaf tobacco, 50 pounds each.
Norwich Mercury. 23 November 1850.
Yarmouth Notes.
The crew of the Sheringham smack “Sea Flower”  were fined £100 each or 6 months hard labour for smuggling 2.760 pounds of tobacco.
Perhaps they were heavy smokers.

Women & children on fishing boats, the only time I have seen it is in the censuses when they are in dock and described as  Captains wife - visitor. Captains son/daughter - visitor. Presumably they are visiting their husband/father while the boat is in dock.

Regards - Blue Jacket
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: LuggerB on Tuesday 28 June 11 07:56 BST (UK)
Thanks Blue Jacket, excellent stuff. I shall follow up on James Grice and the Seaflower contraband! Re: Christmas weddings, the only one of " King Kong`s " daughters who didn`t marry around Christmas, married a William ` Christmas` Dumble!
I was born in Boston and the other side of my family, the Brays, were also all fishing. Back then they fished out of Friskney, which was then right on the coast. Now, after all the land reclamation, Sea Lane where they lived, is now miles away from the sea. As a lad, I used to go ` down below` often, musseling and cockling in the Wash. On a few occasions I went out on "the Rose of England" smack, shrimping. There was always a thornback hanging on our fence post; Sunday tea was freshly boiled cockles and small brown shrimps ubiquitous ( my nan used to shell them for Van Smirrens.)
My grandads brother, Robert Grice, was the Captain of the Protector, the fishing protection vessel which patrolled the East coast. My mum had his set of brass measures, for guaging mesh sizes, lobster and crab lengths etc., sadly lost somewhere along the way.
One last comment from a Grumpy Old Git. Looking back at all the great times out on the boats ( from about 8/9 years old ) how sad that kids today don`t or can`t do it, H & S, litigation and the like....glad to be born when I was. Anyway, thanks again.

Lugger B.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 28 June 11 15:40 BST (UK)
I was brought up in Boston, fairly near to the docks. It was not unusual for the wives of the ships' officers to accompany them on their voyages, I never saw any children, but no doubt it happened too. Ships from Eastern Europe often had women officers and crew. This was primarily in the 1950s.

On reflection, the practice is mentioned in "The schooner Hesperus" i.e. "The skipper had brought his little daughter etc."
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Pentangle67 on Sunday 07 August 11 00:59 BST (UK)
My maternal grandfather's family (Sunman) hail from Sheringham. The earliest I have traced back which confirms connections with Sheringham is the marriage of my great-great-great grandparents who married there in 1819. He was born in nearby Gresham, although she was apparently born in Sheringham in 1799 (I don't have firm evidence of this). The family stayed there for the next 50 years, before moving to Gt. Yarmouth. At one point, my great-grandparents were in Grimsby as my grandfather was born there. The Sunmans finally settled in Hull around 1900 were they remained. Many of the Sunmans were in the fishing industry.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Sunday 07 August 11 14:03 BST (UK)
Hi.
    Thank you for the the very interesting information about the SUNMAN family from Sheringham. While they were in Sheringham the SUNMAN family were innkeepers and boat builders and Robert Sunman jnr built several luggers on Sheringham beach during the early early 1800's.
Robert SUNMAN married Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN on 15th July 1819 at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham Lower Sheringham did not have a parish church until the beginning of the 20th century.
Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN was born at Lower Sheringham 15th November 1798 and baptised at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham  23rd December 1798. Fathers name = Richard CHAMBERLAIN. Mothers name = Mary ???.
The following are from the Upper Sheringham Memorial Inscriptions by Walter Rye.
 Elijah Francis SUNMAN died 19th June 1850. aged 37.
George Willian SUNMAN died 29th November  1818.
Thomas Christmans SUNMAN died 14th April 180?. aged 7 years.
Wills Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich 1819 - 1858.
1855 - SUNMAN, Elijah Frances, innkeeper of Sheringham. Folio #666, Whitty.
These are the fishing luggers I have found that were either built or owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Possibly there are more that have not been recorded. All were built on Sheringham Beach.
"ANNA MARY"  = 12 ton, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr, boat builder.
"CONFIDENCE" = 26 ton, 42ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1841 by Robert SUNMAN jnr and owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"NEW HENRY" = 11 ton, 30ft, 3masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"REFUGE" = 14 tons, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"VICTORY" = 8 tons, 30ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
Robert SUNMAN must have had quite a large work force to be able to turn boats out as quickly as he did.
I hope this information has been of interest and help to you. If you think I can be any further help please do not hesitate to ask and I will see what I can dredge up from my records & files etc.

Regards. Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Pentangle67 on Sunday 07 August 11 18:49 BST (UK)
Hi.
    Thank you for the the very interesting information about the SUNMAN family from Sheringham. While they were in Sheringham the SUNMAN family were innkeepers and boat builders and Robert Sunman jnr built several luggers on Sheringham beach during the early early 1800's.
Robert SUNMAN married Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN on 15th July 1819 at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham Lower Sheringham did not have a parish church until the beginning of the 20th century.
Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN was born at Lower Sheringham 15th November 1798 and baptised at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham  23rd December 1798. Fathers name = Richard CHAMBERLAIN. Mothers name = Mary ???.
The following are from the Upper Sheringham Memorial Inscriptions by Walter Rye.
 Elijah Francis SUNMAN died 19th June 1850. aged 37.
George Willian SUNMAN died 29th November  1818.
Thomas Christmans SUNMAN died 14th April 180?. aged 7 years.
Wills Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich 1819 - 1858.
1855 - SUNMAN, Elijah Frances, innkeeper of Sheringham. Folio #666, Whitty.
These are the fishing luggers I have found that were either built or owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Possibly there are more that have not been recorded. All were built on Sheringham Beach.
"ANNA MARY"  = 12 ton, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr, boat builder.
"CONFIDENCE" = 26 ton, 42ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1841 by Robert SUNMAN jnr and owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"NEW HENRY" = 11 ton, 30ft, 3masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"REFUGE" = 14 tons, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"VICTORY" = 8 tons, 30ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
Robert SUNMAN must have had quite a large work force to be able to turn boats out as quickly as he did.
I hope this information has been of interest and help to you. If you think I can be any further help please do not hesitate to ask and I will see what I can dredge up from my records & files etc.

Regards. Blue Jacket.

Fascinating information Blue Jacket, thank you so much. William Sunman, Robert Sunman Jr's brother, was listed in the 1861 census as being lodging at Frederick St, Portsmouth. His family are not listed along with him (he is back with them on the 1871 census, living in Great Yarmouth) I assume that, being a carpenter/boat builder, he had had the opportunity to work at the shipyard there.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: sunny68 on Wednesday 04 January 12 13:22 GMT (UK)
My maternal grandfather's family (Sunman) hail from Sheringham. The earliest I have traced back which confirms connections with Sheringham is the marriage of my great-great-great grandparents who married there in 1819. He was born in nearby Gresham, although she was apparently born in Sheringham in 1799 (I don't have firm evidence of this). The family stayed there for the next 50 years, before moving to Gt. Yarmouth. At one point, my great-grandparents were in Grimsby as my grandfather was born there. The Sunmans finally settled in Hull around 1900 were they remained. Many of the Sunmans were in the fishing industry.

Hi Pentangle,

I am a decendant of Robert Richard Chambers Sunman, who emigrated to Australia around 1841. I have included what i have found on the Sunman family on ancestry.com which goes back to 1695. There are a couple of good little books no longer in print i believe. From memory
 one was called "The divided Village" a history of Sheringham, and another which escapes me.  Unfortunately i no longer have these books in my posession. Let me know if i can help any further.
Thanks also to blue Jacket as i didnt know the name of the boats built by RRC Sunman's father (Robert)
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: sunny68 on Wednesday 04 January 12 13:32 GMT (UK)
Hi.
    Thank you for the the very interesting information about the SUNMAN family from Sheringham. While they were in Sheringham the SUNMAN family were innkeepers and boat builders and Robert Sunman jnr built several luggers on Sheringham beach during the early early 1800's.
Robert SUNMAN married Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN on 15th July 1819 at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham Lower Sheringham did not have a parish church until the beginning of the 20th century.
Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN was born at Lower Sheringham 15th November 1798 and baptised at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham  23rd December 1798. Fathers name = Richard CHAMBERLAIN. Mothers name = Mary ???.
The following are from the Upper Sheringham Memorial Inscriptions by Walter Rye.
 Elijah Francis SUNMAN died 19th June 1850. aged 37.
George Willian SUNMAN died 29th November  1818.
Thomas Christmans SUNMAN died 14th April 180?. aged 7 years.
Wills Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich 1819 - 1858.
1855 - SUNMAN, Elijah Frances, innkeeper of Sheringham. Folio #666, Whitty.
These are the fishing luggers I have found that were either built or owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Possibly there are more that have not been recorded. All were built on Sheringham Beach.
"ANNA MARY"  = 12 ton, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr. Owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr, boat builder.
"CONFIDENCE" = 26 ton, 42ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1841 by Robert SUNMAN jnr and owned by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"NEW HENRY" = 11 ton, 30ft, 3masted lugger built at Sheringham 1839 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"REFUGE" = 14 tons, 33ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
"VICTORY" = 8 tons, 30ft, 3 masted lugger built at Sheringham 1840 by Robert SUNMAN jnr.
Robert SUNMAN must have had quite a large work force to be able to turn boats out as quickly as he did.
I hope this information has been of interest and help to you. If you think I can be any further help please do not hesitate to ask and I will see what I can dredge up from my records & files etc.

Regards. Blue Jacket.
[/   
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: EXWORTHWADE on Saturday 11 February 12 17:34 GMT (UK)

Hello ,
I am extremely interested in your posting The Sherringham Shannocks.
Firstly i cant read the letter very clearly and just wondered if you have it , can i obtain a copy?
I can make out the surname Bishop and what looks like hilyard street which is where John Robert settles down with Sarah Ann Green(sister of my Gt Grandfather) Like your Sherringham Fisherman , my family moved fm Harwich to grimsby in time to appear on the 1881 census. I dont know when and i dont know why is their a story behind the move , that you could share?
Sarah Annes Father Samuel was a fisherman and his four daus all married fishermen.
Harriet Green married Frederick Lane from Gravesend , Kent in Grimsby 1887
Maria Green married Christopher Sadler from Sherringham in Grimsby as i say i cant see your letter clearly so not sure if he appears on the letter. married 1891.
Eliza married Tom Clarke in Grimsby 1884 (not sure where tom clark/e comes from is he from Sherringham too?

Many thanks if you can help me
Sid, son of a fishmonger , and nephew of a fisherman and a fishmonger...LOL


Here is the list that I have of the "Grimsby Shannocks" - I hope everyone can read it
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Michelle Family on Monday 27 February 12 15:50 GMT (UK)
My great grandfather is on the list of Grimsby Shannocks - Robert Bishop who married Mary Ann Cox. Their son William Soames Bishop is my great grandfather. The photo is of William when he was a Skipper on the Deveron.

I have a copy 'The Book of Sheringham'. It has lots of information of fishing families with pictures.

Would anyone know the first name of 'Lotion Tar Bishop'

Michelle from Australia
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Thursday 01 March 12 14:39 GMT (UK)
Hi.
    I apologise for the delay replying to you posting, have had some PC problems etc.
The document you mention was posted by another member of rootschat and as a result, I do not have a copy, unfortunately.
The Shannocks along with fishermen from many other East coast ports moved to Grimsby after it was developed as a fishing port in the latter half of the 1800S, starting around 1851. With the railway fish could be delivered to the big cities and towns in the North and the Midlands within 24 hours of landing. This opened up markets never dreamed of and as the demand for fish increased it out stripped the supply and prices increased. New fishing grounds such as the Silver Pits and Sole Pits were being found and exploited
It must have been like a gold rush and several houses in Sheringham were built on the proceeds.

Before Grimsby was developed the Sheringham fishermen used to range all over the North sea, fishing from Whitby and perhaps even further North right round to the English Channel as the seasons dictated. They may have even gone round the land Westard  Mackerel fishing.

I am afraid I have run on a bit, hope I havn't bored you. If I can be any help with the Shannocks etc please do not hesitate to ask.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Thursday 01 March 12 14:52 GMT (UK)
Hi Michelle.
                  Thank you for your posting about Lotion Tar Bishop. and the interesting photographs
I have searched through all my files, documents and books, but can find no metion of his first name, he is always called Lotion Tar Bishop.  I have made a note and if in the future his first name is found I will post it on rootschat.

Regards.
Blue Jacket.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Geoff-E on Thursday 01 March 12 17:04 GMT (UK)
I wonder if he was Load(e)s BISHOP, 1861-1940. :)

He was a Sheringham fisherman and looks about the right age to be the chap in his gansy.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Michelle Family on Friday 02 March 12 05:44 GMT (UK)
Thank you Blue Jacket and Geoff E for providing that information.Apparently in his later years which would have been the 1930's William Bishop would take scientist out so they could do their testing.

My Nana has said that her father William was the youngest Skipper on the East Coast of Sherringham at age 21, this would have been around 1897. He was also skipper for the below ;
Gurth    1913
Cliffon    1909
Peken    1911
Peken    1912
Pearl    1908
Conway    1911

Would anyone know where I could find more information regarding the fishing trips, like what were they fishing for, what size was the catch, how long were they at sea etc.

thank you
Michelle
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Blue Jacket on Friday 02 March 12 16:17 GMT (UK)
Hi Michelle.
                 Thank you for your reply. The trawlers you mention were big steam (coal burners) trawlers that used to fish off Iceland and right up in the Arctic Sea North of Norway and sometimes they would even get over to Greenland. The boats could be away from Grimsby for anything up to a month at a time. It was a very hazardous occupation, the crews had to contend with freezing conditions, frost bite, ice, gales, salt water boils (very painful), lack of sleep. In the winter it was dark for weeks on end, it never got daylight. The fish caught were mostly cod, haddock and Halbut etc and some times some very big catches were made and then everyone was happy.

Here are some details for the trawlers you mention.

"GURTH". Official number 118941. Registered Grimsby 1905. Built of steel at Selby 1905. Length 123'.2. Breadth 21'.6. Depth in hold 11'.4.  Net tons 91. Gross tons 226. Horse Power 60. Screw propulsion. Steam.
Owner, United Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby. William Chessman, Tapley House, The Park, Grimsby.

Tha following are in the same format, but I have left
out the text for length, breadth, etc.

"CLIFTON" 123562. Grimsby 1906. Steel. Selby 1906. 126'.2. 22'.0. 11'.4. 125 net. 242 gross.  HP 63. Screw. Steam. Owner, Thomas C Moss, Fish Docks, Grimsby.

"PEKEN". 127823. gRIMSBY 1908. Steel. Selby 1907. 120'.0. 22'.0. 11'.4. 119 net. 228 gross.  HP 66. Screw. Steam. Owner, Henry L Taylor, Fish Dock, Grimsby.

"PEARL". 110920. grimsby 1899. Iron. Beverley 1899. 115'.7. 21'.0. 11'.5. 79 net. 198 gross. HP 60. Screw. Steam. Owner, Thomas C Moss, Fish Dock, Grimsby.

"CONWAY". 118919. Grimsby 1904. Steel. Selby 1904. 119'.3. 21'.5. 11'.5. 105 net. 228 gross. HP 58. Screw. Steam.  Owner, Thomas C Moss, Epping House, Eleanor Street. Grimsby.

Hopefully this has answered some of your questions, but if not please do not hesitate to ask again. I cannot guarantee to come up with the right answer every time, but I will try.

Best Wishes.
Blue Jacket.


Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Michelle Family on Monday 05 March 12 12:09 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much Blue Jacket  ;D
I saw my Nan on the weekend and told her all about this forum and the amazing people
who are willing to help strangers and offer information.

I also told her the details of the trawlers her father was skipper and the background of Sheringham fishermen you have kindly provided.
Needless to say my Nan was quite overwhelmed and absolutely delighted
to learn about her father William as she remembers him being at sea most of
the time and was only 12 when he died.

Thanks again, its was her 85th Birthday on the weekend and unfortunately she spent it in hospital
as she had a hip replacement operation only 2 days before. Talking about her dad definitely took
her mind of the pain, if only for a little while.

 ;D
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Neilthomas123 on Tuesday 22 May 12 19:13 BST (UK)
Hi BlueJacket,

I've got a picture of 4 sheringham fishermen in their ganseys circa 1890s and would like to know more about them and their families. Through a little research i have managed to find their names (from L-R) Elijah Farrow (possibly?), (Henry?) 'Potter' Hardingham, John 'Tar' Bishop, Belsha (Belcher) Johnson. If anyone can help that would be great, and it might be of interest to the Sheringham Museum?

Kind Regards

Neil.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: LibertyEben on Friday 22 February 13 08:59 GMT (UK)
A fascinating site - I have found so much about my Sheringham ancestors.

I may have a mite to contribute re the picture of the 4 fishermen.  I think that 'Potter' Hardingham was George Potter Hardingham i.e. it was his middle name, rather than a nickname.  He was born 1858 in Runton, married Sophia Cox in 1880, and was widowed 2 years later.  I further think he is on the 1881 census on the 'New Admiral' in Great Grimsby, as George Potter.
Does this make sense to anyone else?
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Flintsprite on Sunday 24 August 14 09:57 BST (UK)
Hello Bluejacket.
I hope you are still active on this site . i have just come across your posts in relation to Thalia. I live in a flat in a property once owned by John Philip Wells and the deeds state he changed the name to Thalia My research is actually about the family that he purchased the property from but found the information on Master Mariner Wells and his boat fascinating. I must go down to the museum to see if they have a photo of him or Thalia.I hope it was ok to get in contact ,kind regards
Flintsprite

Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Rock of Ages on Tuesday 16 January 18 14:59 GMT (UK)
Back on Ancestry now so can give you the information I have. In April 1881, my great-grandfather, " King Kong " Grice, and his older brother " Chicken ", were in Grimsby aboard " Reaper " ( YH458 ), a 30-ton dandy cod fishing boat. The skipper was Henry Johnson, 2nd mate was his brother John; the rest of the crew were Robert Davidson, James Farrow and John Gladdin Craske, all Shannocks.
Other craft fishing there were Pledge, Baroda, Volo, Pearl, Perseverence, Whimper, Billow, Advance and Dasher....such evocative names!
On one census I found a list of names on vessels out of Grimsby, unintelligeable names; a mixture of Scandinavian, bad spelling and a bad hand at Scrabble! There were also a few women and children. Any idea what that`s all about?
One thing I noticed about my Sheringham family tree, was that most marriages took place around Christmas, some even on Christmas day. Would this be the small gap for rig changing, from mackerel to cod?
  I believe The Perseverence is in the Grimsby Heritage Centre.
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 16 January 18 16:49 GMT (UK)
Not uncommon, even today for merchant seamen to take their wives and small children with them on long voyages, much more common in earlier times. I was brought up in Boston near the docks, and in the late 1940s and 1950s the small coastal ships using the docks, generally from Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, but with a few rarer visitors from Eastern Europe and Russia thrown in, along with some British often had women on board. Some of the Eastern Europeans were often officers.
By that time there was no trawling out of Boston, the Boston Deep Sea Fishing co. had moved to Fleetwood in the 1920s, so there were only the local inshore boats left. None of these stayed out overnight really, sometimes though due to tidal conditions.
Scandinavian names in Grimsby are quite common, when compiling payroll for Grimsby railway staff in the 1960s I was struck by the numbers of people whose names ended in ---sen and ----mann, so again this does not surprise. Regarding spelling, it is always well to remember that there was no standard spelling before the late 18th century, and then due to lack of education it caught on rather slowly. Like a registrar recording a birth etc. a painter naming a fishing boat would record what he heard, and paint that on the side of the boat. There are similar records of eccentrically spelt locomotive names from the railway engine builders. Again the same cause.
 
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: keith110639 on Friday 12 February 21 11:01 GMT (UK)
Hi Bluejacket,
I have not looked at this site for some time, hope you have been able to find all the information you wanted to complete your task. Intersting to read all the replies etc. I eventually did mine and had the book published by the History Press 'The Riiver Welland, Shipping & Mariners of Spalding'
Regards
Keith J Seaton
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: dathai on Friday 12 February 21 14:59 GMT (UK)
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qav/
Title: Re: Sheringham Maritime & Fishing History
Post by: straitonmj on Wednesday 28 July 21 06:41 BST (UK)
Hello Bluejacket.
I hope you are still active on this site . i have just come across your posts in relation to Thalia. I live in a flat in a property once owned by John Philip Wells and the deeds state he changed the name to Thalia My research is actually about the family that he purchased the property from but found the information on Master Mariner Wells and his boat fascinating. I must go down to the museum to see if they have a photo of him or Thalia.I hope it was ok to get in contact ,kind regards
Flintsprite
Hello, am interested in these comments about JP Wells, am trying piece family tree together and finding out more about Master Mariner Wells. Any info would be appreciated, thanks so much., Kind regards,
Straitonmj