Fleetwood Fishermens' Memorial

Fleetwood is at the north end of the Fylde Coast. Many years ago it was the largest fishing port on the West coast of the UK. Certainly fishing into the Arctic. Fishing being a precarious business, there were many losses. These pictures bear homage to those brave men who fished. The inscriptions go a long way to explaining the hardship and sometimes large rewards - alas no longer!

Stone post next to the statue

Looking out to sea - the hotel in the background is the North Euston

"Welcome home is erected as a tribute to the families of Fleetwood fishermen who have down the years shared the dangers and uncertainties of the industry. Around this spot families have gathered for generations to 'welcome home' their menfolk from the sea.
Welcome Home is provided by Fisherman's Friend with the assistance of Wyre Borough Council. It was designed and sculpted by Anita Lafford"

Out to Sea

Close up

Very close to the statue is a memorial to the fishermen. Painted blue, there are three inscriptions. The first two are here. The list of boats lost will be in the datastore.
" Past this place, the fishermen of Fleetwood have sailed for generations while their families have watched from the shore. Their courage and comradeship under hardship is a living legend. This memorial depicting equipment from a trawler, was placed here in recognition of the great contribution which the men and women of the fishing community have made to the life of Fleetwood"

" This memorial was devised by

DAVID PEARCE

and designed by

RICHARD GILLINGHAM 

with research by 

COUNCILLOR BEN JACKSON. 

It was donated by 

ROBERTSONS of FLEETWOOD 

and the site was prepared by 

WYRE COMMUNITY SERVICES 

with the assistance of 

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL. 

Unveiled by 

COUNCILLOR ANTOON VINK MAYOR of WYRE

Decmber 1987

The final inscription is is a transcription. The picture is below but the information is on the in the Datastore

The losses of Fleetwood Fishermen since 1913

There are two other Sea Memorials (at lest) in Fleetwood and they are both in the gardens in front of the North Euston Hotel.
The major one is an obelisk dedicated to two men

ERECTED

BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

TO THE MEMORY OF

JAMES ABRAM

AND

GEORGE GREENHALL

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

IN THE STORM OF NOVEMBER 1890

WHILST TRAGICALLY ENDEAVORING

TO SAVE OTHERS

This is a copy from "Lancashire Lantern" I copy it because I feel it is significant, 

During the Great Storm of November 7thth 1890 both the main lifeboat and the no. 2 boat had been launched. The two men were part of the crew of the local fishing smack the Osprey under the command of James Fogg. The Osprey was struggling to reach Fleetwood when the crew sighted the schooner 'Jean Campbell' in distress. Mr Fogg took the Osprey as close as he could and then under his guidance a small boat was launched manned by George Wilkinson, James Abram, and George Greenall. They succeeded in reaching the schooner and got the crew of three in the boat, but as they headed back to the Osprey it was swamped and sank. The only survivor was George Wilkinson who was hauled to safety by James Fogg and the smack's cook.

For their efforts to save the crew of the 'Jean Campbell' James Abram and George Greenall were each awarded the Silver Medal by the RNLI. A fund was set up for their dependents and the drinking fountain was installed in their memory, however it was felt that that was insufficient and the monument was erected as a more suitable memorial to their courage.

In response to comments below I post a link to a photograph and description of the same monument by Lawrence Chard. I had the pleasure of meeting him at his business when I had some work done. Fine research Mr. Chard.

 

North Euston Gardens

The Inscription

Nestling at the base of this obelisk is another small granite memorial erected in 1985. Although it appears insignificant, it has been dedicated by one of Britain's foremost Naval Officers, formally Second Sealord, Admiral Sir Desmond Cassini GCB, more about him here. It really seems like an afterthought! The writing has faded and the memorial needs some care and attention. It reads

IN MEMORY OF

THOSE WHO HAVE LOST

THEIR LIVES AT SEA

DEDICATED ON THE 19TH MAY 1985

BY ADMIRAL

SIR DESMOND CASSINI G.C.B.

The inscription

The rock in front of the obelisk has the inscription
The Pharos Lighthouse is behind in the distance
the North Euston Hotel is to the right

The drinking fountain has been mentioned and there is a cannon close by. Pictures here

Many Fleetwood men served in the Merchant Navy during the war. I suspect that many of the local churches also have memorials inside too.There is a memorial park at the south end of the town which has a fine statue by Tyson Smith and a list of the Fleetwood fallen.