aberdeen granite
Aberdeen Trawler Netherley, 1960
Built by John Lewis at the Torry shipyard this middle-distance trawler was typical of the diesel-engined boats which replaced the very old fleet of steam trawlers which Aberdeen's fishing industry had hitherto relied upon. Within fifteen years the city's white fish industry was in decline: pressurised by “war” over Iceland's extended fishing limit; labour struggles at the fish market; a soaring price of fuel and an emergent alternative for capital investment in North Sea oil. As bountiful as the white fish industry had been to Aberdeen's economy (not always to the waged fishermen) it made way for a very different resource. Here Netherley is leaving Aberdeen harbour, on its trials before taking on the serious business of commercial trawling.
Aberdeen Trawler Netherley, 1960
Built by John Lewis at the Torry shipyard this middle-distance trawler was typical of the diesel-engined boats which replaced the very old fleet of steam trawlers which Aberdeen's fishing industry had hitherto relied upon. Within fifteen years the city's white fish industry was in decline: pressurised by “war” over Iceland's extended fishing limit; labour struggles at the fish market; a soaring price of fuel and an emergent alternative for capital investment in North Sea oil. As bountiful as the white fish industry had been to Aberdeen's economy (not always to the waged fishermen) it made way for a very different resource. Here Netherley is leaving Aberdeen harbour, on its trials before taking on the serious business of commercial trawling.