This is one of the most enjoyable local books I have read in quite awhile. If you have Eastbourne ancestors who were fishermen or boatmen then this book is a must for you to read. If your ancestors were not Eastbourne fishermen of boatmen there is still a lot in this book to tempt you.
Ted begins by setting the scene with a description of “The Fishermen of Eastbourne”. He then goes into an introduction to the life of Eastbourne fisher folk from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries when they added smuggling to their fishing activities.
Chapter One goes from an early reference to local fishermen in 1296 through to 1850 when the Eastbourne fleet are announced to be on their way home.
Chapter Two - Life at sea and ashore.
Chapter Three - The Forced Removal of the Fishermen from their Ancient Fishing Station.
Chapter Four - The Lifeboat and The ‘New Brunswick’ Rescue.
Chapter Five - The Fishermans Club.
Chapter Six - Tragedy and Survival at sea.
Chapter Seven - A Fish Market, The ’Pride and Envy’ tragedy.
Chapter Eight - The death of ’Bones’ Hide.
Chapter Nine - Spratting at Eastbourne and through the Great War.
Chapter Ten - The Lifeboat Crew Resign, Ghostly tales and a Home on the Beach.
Chapter Eleven - The ’Linnet’ Incident, Pragnell Boat Builders, Life-saving Apparatus Volunteers.
Chapter Twelve - Dunkirk, St Valery and the Post War Years.
Chapter Thirteen - Some Tales of the French and the Belgians.
Chapter Fourteen - A Bit More about the Pleasure Boatmen of Eastbourne.
Chapter Fifteen - Militia List 1803 and Census 1841—1891 of Eastbourne Fishermen.
Bibliography.
Ship and Boat Name Index.
Surname Index.
This book is jam packed with names, dates, photos, maps, sketches and events, altogether a fascinating read for anyone. I can recommend it highly even to those without a direct connection. It vividly illustrates how this, aspect of town life, operated over several centuries. Certainly those who knew of the fishermen in the 20th century may be surprised to find how widespread the trade was in earlier times.
Ted identifies the local fishermen families as :- "Some surnames to recall are" — Swain, Knight, Simpson, Hurd, Paul, Penfold, Prodger, Breach, Adams, Erridge, Allcorn, Tutt, Tyrell, Huggett, Mockett, Sayers, Wood, Mathews, Boniface, Hide, Novis, Elms, Hardy, Hunt, Godden, Reed, Chester, Waymark, Crick, Mitchell, Carter, Andrews and may many more.
Are any of your names amongst them ? And possibly more importantly do you have the skill to carry on their trade ? If you read no other local book this year please read this one. A copy will be with Betty Landrock in the “Family Roots” library. The book can be purchased for £15.99 at either Amazon (Internet) or from local booksellers. Reference ISBN 978-185770-3528.
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