Oyster dredging at Whitstable, as depicted in 1882.

Introduction

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words and this is particularly true of this picture.

Printed in the Illustrated London News of May 12th 1882 in the series 'Our Fishing Industries' and headed 'Oyster Dredging at Whitstable', it gives us a fairly accurate representation of the industry at that time.

Perhaps as relevant is the fact that when a national newspaper wanted a picrure of the Oyster industry they naturally came to Whitstable. This legacy continues today for when television production companies require background information and pictures for a feature on oysters they know where to come.

Illustrated London News 1882 - Oyster Dredging at Whitstable.

Yawls Sailing Out
Dredge
Oyster Bags
Dredging
Landing Oysters

Have you any knowledge of the Oyster Smacks and Yawls?

One of the purposes of Oystertown.net is to save and share as much information about Whitstable and its people before it is lost forever.

If you have any identified pictures, information, or passed down stories about these boats or the men who worked them we would like to hear from you.

Linked pages:

The Oyster yawls and their owners. Two listings, one of the boats, one of the owners.

Anderson, Rigden and Perkins boatyard. One of the E.B. articles published in the late 1940's.