ID:CAITHHORZ_THUFM_PH100DESCRIPTION:The Wick Herring Fleet in Wick Harbour. Fisherwives can be seen processing the catch.
In 1768, Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster built a quay at Wick in order to promote the town as a herring fishing centre. Progress was made with the intervention of the British Fisheries Society, harbour improvements made by Thomas Telford in 1810 and the building of an additional pier in 1831. The industry reached its peak between 1860 and 1890, when as many as 1000 boats were based at the harbour.
The fishing boats employed around 6000 fishermen and provided work for an additional 6000 workers, including women who gutted, salted and layered the herring.
Failure to attempt to conserve stock contributed to the herring being fished out by the early 1900s. By 1930 there were less than 30 fishing boats working out of the harbour.
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For further information please email usPLACENAME:WickOLD COUNTY/PARISH:CAITHNESS: WickCREATOR (AV):Johnston of WickSOURCE:North Coast Visitor CentreCOLLECTION:Caithness HorizonsAsset ID:4279KEYWORDS:
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