Old Photograph SS President Eyemouth Scotland

Old photograph of SS President on rocks near Eyemouth, Scotland. This steam powered trawler was wrecked in fog on 29/04/1928, as it neared the end of its journey from Hamburg to Methil in Fife. Steam fishing boats generally had many advantages. They were usually about 20 ft longer than the older sailing vessels so they could carry more nets and catch more fish. This was important, as the market was growing quickly at the beginning of the 20th century. They could travel faster and further and with greater freedom from weather, wind and tide. Because less time was spent travelling to and from the fishing grounds, more time could be spent fishing. The steam boats also gained the highest prices for their fish, as they could return quickly to harbour with their fresh catch. Steam trawlers were introduced at Grimsby and Hull in the 1880s. In 1890 it was estimated that there were 20,000 men on the North Sea. The steam drifter was not used in the herring fishery until 1897. The last sailing fishing trawler was built in 1925 in Grimsby.



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