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The open boats featured in Tony Stroud's 1950s picture
(below) are "double ended" whelk boats.
Photo kindly supplied by Tony Stroud
The true reference to this type of boat is 'Sheringham Crabber'
and it originated in East Anglia. The boats migrated
to Whitstable from Sheringham and Cromer at the end of the 1800s and
they have always occupied the South East corner of the harbour
(affectionately known as Dead Man's corner).
Many local family names originate from those early
migrant fishermen. They came to live in Whitstable and fish for whelks on the
Kentish Flats. They brought another method of fishing with them in the
form of 'The Whelk Pot'.
My dad's vessel, the "Welcome
Messenger", was a Sheringham Crabber and it was one of the
original boats to come from East Anglia. Of course, they were originally
built for sail and oar. Tony's picture shows younger versions - built
locally but based on
those early ancestors.
One original whelker was Derek West and he carried
on "whelking" until recently I believe. I understand that his
boat the Floreat (F91) is now outside at the museum.
John Harman
Sidney
British Columbia
Canada
Note: The story of the the
migration of families from east Anglia is picked up by Ian
Johnson in his article "Sheringham and the Johnson"
family. Ian's family were part of the migration in 1901.
Click
here to view.
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