Home > Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Western Isles > Lerwick
Barrels for the Shetland catch of herring being unloaded at Lerwick, 1949
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from TopFoto
Barrels for the Shetland catch of herring being unloaded at Lerwick, 1949
Barrels for the Shetland catch of herring being unloaded at Lerwick, 1949.
Klondyking for fresh herring has begun in the Shetlands.
For two weeks all Shetland Herring Boats (from Lerwick and Scalioway) can land unlimitedcatches of fish. As against the limited landings of Scottish fishing ports these fishermen get their ?3 per cran. The Scottish ports, however, witht heir limited lands recieve 89/10d per cran - which means that generally the Shetland fisherman gets less for his work unless he lands enormous catches.
A cran is about 1500/1600 fish - the number getting smaller as the season advances Four baskets of boxes make up a cran.
Klondyking is the name given to the Shetlanders who fish unrestricted for the first two weeks. It comes fromt he Gold Rush days when it was every man for himself.
Fish where the fish are
TopFoto independent historic photographs and images all subjects and eras
Media ID 11564541
© TopFoto.co.uk
Barrel Fish Fishing Fleet Industry Load Ocean Port Sailing Seas Truck Work Employ Herring
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Fishes
> H
> Herring
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> Scotland
> Western Isles
> Lerwick
> TopFoto
> Fish where the fish are
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the bustling scene at Lerwick in 1949, as barrels filled with the Shetland catch of herring are being unloaded from fishing boats. The Klondyking season has just begun, signaling a period of unrestricted fishing for two weeks in the Shetlands. In contrast to Scottish fishing ports that have limited landings, these hardworking fishermen receive £3 per cran (approximately 1500/1600 fish) for their catches. However, this payment is only advantageous if they manage to bring in enormous hauls. Four baskets of boxes make up a cran, but as the season progresses, the number of fish caught diminishes. The term "Klondyking" derives from the Gold Rush days when individuals sought their own fortune without any restrictions or regulations. It aptly reflects the determination and resilience exhibited by these Shetland fishermen who venture out into treacherous seas to find where the fish are plentiful. The image showcases not only their tireless work but also highlights how vital this industry was for Lerwick's economy during that time. The sight of men unloading barrels onto trucks symbolizes both physical labor and economic prosperity driven by herring fishing. This historical photograph serves as a reminder of an era when communities relied on such industries for survival while capturing a moment frozen in time amidst a sea-faring fleet and an ocean teeming with life.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
