Great Yarmouth 1950s photos by Jack Harrison (born 1938) click on a photo to see large size  next page HERE  GO to Great Yarmouth HOME PAGE Herring Fishing was a major industry until the end of the 1950s when if rapidly declined with reduction in fish stocks. Boats, many from the Scottish ports, would be based at Yarmouth for the autumn.  Competition could be fierce, particularly to be able to land the catch ahead of rivals (and get better prices).  The Scots would not go to sea on Sundays, whether for religious reasons or as a result of hangovers, was never quite clear.  Boats were moored at the weekend, four or more abreast, near the centre of Yarmouth.  Local boats (eg those with Yarmouth YH registrations) often went to sea or remained at the Fish Wharf.  Monday mornings would see a mass departure for the fishing grounds.  The final picture shows the beginning of the end - the abandoned hulk.

Weekend scene near the Town Hall	Yarmouth steam boats moored at the Fish Wharf
Monday morning rush	Monday morning
Old steam drifter from Kirkcaldy	Racing into the harbour.  The smaller diesel drifter is destined to win
Gulls in attendance as always	Newer Yarmouth boats unloading
Nets drying	Into dry dock for repair
These barrels were destined for Czechoslovakia	Big catch that had taken time to lad - the boat didn't get in until nighttime
Drifters were still being built in the mid 1950s	But others had seen better days

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