The Families

Fishing communities were very tight-knit. The men on board established a comradeship borne out of the hardship and danger that they faced while at sea.

For the younger men in the fishing community the natural progression from leaving school was to go to sea "like me dad".

Many of the fishermen's wives worked in fishing-related industries, partly to supplement their income, but also to help pass the time and be amongst friends while their husbands and sons were at sea. Greeting telegrams and 'telemacs' from loved ones at sea were always eagerly received.

Fishing families would always try to support each other, particularly in times of grief. The whole town would mourn a trawler lost at sea with all hands.