The year 1920, around the time the Whitstable oyster beds, along with many throughout Europe, were decimated with disease that precipitated the decline of the local industry.
This piece of film from the BFI archives, obviously made and set-up in conjunction with the local oyster companies as a promotional film, shows many of the yawls that still graced the bay. The speed at which they travel is not consistent with the actual dredging operation but does show the sailing capabilities of these vessels and their crews.
The BFI introduction:
Bibs at the ready for this documentary showing the journey of the oyster from seabed to dinner plate. We see the oyster smacks (fishing vessels used for trawling) hauling in their plunder, the shellfish being packed for delivery to London and, inevitably, being shucked with gusto by a restaurant’s portly clientele.
The film was shot in Whitstable, a seaside town known as the “Pearl of Kent” for its famous oysters. Beady-eyed viewers may spot prolific early film producer Charles Urban sampling the oysters in the beach footage, squatting on the right.
