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Trawling

Name: Trawling
Price: 54.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780859896283

✍️ Robinson, Robb

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This compelling historical narrative meticulously chronicles the evolution of trawling in Britain, from its primitive fourteenth-century origins to its zenith as a global maritime force. Robb Robinson traces how technological advancements, notably the beam trawl and later steam vessels, propelled Britain to pre-eminence in European fishing. The account navigates intense growth and international rivalry, ultimately detailing the industry's decline in the late 20th century, offering a thorough survey of this vital, yet often overlooked, aspect of British economic history.

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Liverpool University Press 📅 1998 📖 288 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780859896283

Fun Fact

Robb Robinson's 'Trawling' offers a deep dive into an often-overlooked yet critical facet of British history. It excels in meticulously charting technological innovation and its profound economic impact, making it indispensable for maritime historians and enthusiasts of industrial development. Those seeking an environmental advocacy piece might be disappointed. For a comprehensive, chronologically rich understanding of Britain's complex relationship with its fishing heritage, this volume stands as a definitive and illuminating contribution.

📝 Description: Trawling

A distinct branch of the multi-faceted fishing industry, trawling dates back at least to the 1370s when attempts were made to prohibit the use of a primitive trawling device, the 'wondyrychoun' on the Thames. But it was not until the late 18th century that the beam trawl was deployed to any great extent, the fishermen of Barking and Brixham claiming credit for pioneering the technique. Thereafter, particularly from the 1840s, trawling eclipsed seining, drifting and line fishing as the principal method of capture, a transition which not only underpinned the growth of east coast fishing stations such as Hull and Grimsby, but also explained Britain's emergence as the largest and most successful of Europe's fishing nations. The rapid adoption of the steam trawler in the 1880s confirmed these trends and facilitated the exploitation of more distant fishing grounds. Two World Wars, a series of Cod Wars and intense foreign competition have eroded Britain's pre-eminence in the 20th century, so much so that by the early 1990s her interests in distant water trawling were negligible. The author adopts a largely chronological approach to chart the rise and fall of trawling in Britain. Using an array of primary sources, he identifies the key factors - growing demand, links with markets, technological change, political rivalries - which have conditioned the performance of the trawling business. A number of themes permeate the work, including the life and working conditions of the trawlermen, the place of trawling in the fishing industry at large, attitudes to the conservation of fish stocks and the role of government in the prosecution and prosperity of the trawl fishery. In dealing with such issues, the book provides a well balanced, thoroughly researched account of a vital arm of Britain's 19th and 20th century fishing industry.

📑 What's inside

The pre-trawling era
The pioneers
Railways and markets
Opening up the North Sea
Free trade and indentured labour
Fisherman and fleeting
The coming of the steam trawler
Beyond the North Sea
Steam and storm
The Great War
Distant-water dominance
Inter-war life and labour
World War II
The cost of trawling
Freezers and factory fleets
Cod wars and common fisheries policies - the beginning of the end

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Robb Robinson delivers a meticulous chronicle that serves as an essential reference for maritime historians and economists alike. The narrative effectively tracks the trajectory from fourteenth-century origins to late twentieth-century decline, offering rigorous analysis of technological shifts. However, casual readers seeking dramatic plotlines or fictionalized accounts may find the dense focus on industrial mechanics and economic factors tedious. It is not suited for those expecting a light, leisurely beach read; rather, it demands engagement with historical data and industrial context. Ideal for academic libraries and serious students of British history who value thoroughness over entertainment.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with an appetite for the tangible history of industry and the shifting tides of economic power will find this volume indispensable. It offers a rare glimpse into how technological innovation, from primitive gear to steam vessels, reshaped Britain's global standing. Those fascinated by the intricate dance between human endeavor and the natural world will appreciate the detailed account of international rivalry and industrial zenith. It is particularly valuable for scholars and enthusiasts seeking to understand the overlooked narratives that underpin modern economic structures, providing a comprehensive yet accessible survey of a vital historical period.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If the hidden mechanics of industrial history, untold maritime endeavors, or the rise and fall of national influence captivate you, this meticulous account of Britain's trawling saga will illuminate a fascinating chapter in human ingenuity and decline.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Robb Robinson delivers a meticulous chronicle that serves as an essential reference for maritime historians and economists alike. The narrative effectively tracks the trajectory from fourteenth-century origins to late twentieth-century decline, offering rigorous analysis of technological shifts. However, casual readers seeking dramatic plotlines or fictionalized accounts may find the dense focus on industrial mechanics and economic factors tedious. It is not suited for those expecting a light, leisurely beach read; rather, it demands engagement with historical data and industrial context. Ideal for academic libraries and serious students of British history who value thoroughness over entertainment.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The narrative spans from the late 14th century, tracing the earliest mentions of trawling devices, through its significant growth in the 18th and 19th centuries, up to the industry's decline by the early 1990s.

While the evolution and decline of the industry are discussed, the primary focus is on the historical, technological, and economic development of trawling in Britain, rather than a detailed ecological analysis.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Early Fishing Innovations

Delves into the rudimentary beginnings of trawling, highlighting early devices like the 'wondyrychoun' and the societal resistance they faced. It uncovers how these initial, often controversial, methods paved the way for more sophisticated techniques, illustrating the slow, incremental march of technological progress in a vital industry.

Industrial Maritime Dominance

Explores how the widespread adoption of the beam trawl and subsequent steam-powered vessels transformed British fishing. The narrative reveals how these innovations not only spurred the growth of major east coast ports but also cemented Britain's status as a leading European maritime power for centuries.

The Fading Empire of Seas

Chronicles the eventual erosion of Britain's once-unrivaled position in global trawling. The book examines the impact of various conflicts, including the Cod Wars, and fierce international competition, detailing the factors that led to the significant reduction of Britain's distant water fishing interests by the 1990s.

📜 Historical context

This work fits squarely within the tradition of detailed industrial and maritime histories, offering a chronological and analytical perspective on a specific economic sector. It contributes significantly to our understanding of Britain's historical technological advancements and global trade dominance, echoing broader narratives of industrial revolution through the lens of a singular, impactful industry.

📚 Glossary

Trawling
Beam Trawl
Wondyrychoun

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider the cyclical nature of technological innovation and societal resistance, as exemplified by early trawling. What contemporary technologies face similar debates, and why?
Reflect on how a nation's dominance in one industry, like British trawling, can rise and fall. What factors contribute to such shifts in global economic power?
Imagine the lives of those involved in the trawling industry across centuries. How did their relationship with the sea and technology evolve, and what personal sacrifices might have been made for progress?