2-798-537 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Barking fishing boats, 1844. '...fishing-smacks, belonging to Barking, in Essex; of which vessels...no fewer than sixty were lying in the river [Thames], a little below Woolwich, their crews having brought them home from sea, and struck work...Frequently...the smacks only come up the river as far as Gravesend, and having discharged their cargo of fish into the hatch-boats that ply between that place and the London market, they take in fresh provision and return to sea. This is called making a "Gravesend voyage". It tends to keep the men longer from their homes and families, but effects a great saving of time to the owners...The demands of the men are for increased wages and shorter voyages. Their present rate...is: men fourteen shillings a week, and mates sixteen. They want this to be advanced two shillings in each case, and the time of absence to be limited to one month'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.