A Representation of the Fishery of Great Britain, Cod, Herring, and Whale

Object summary

Title: A Representation of the Fishery of Great Britain, Cod, Herring, and Whale
Object ID: CC-F-0029
Date made: 1721
Place made: United Kingdom
Draftsman (after): Baston, Thomas
Print maker: Kirkall, Elisha
Object type: Engraving; Etching
Major collection: Nautical
Named collection: Arthur H. Clark Collection
On view: No

Description

A view of the abundant types of fishing in Great Britain. In the left foreground, men in rowing boats pull up nets and fish. Men hand off the herring and cod they caught directly to a salting assembly line underneath the gable-roofed dock structure that goes right into the water. In the right foreground, men in small rowing boats chase after whales. A whale is being processed on the shore at the right. A large burning pot boils the whale blubber. In the distance, various naval battle ships dot the horizon. This is plate 14 of a series titled, 'Twenty-two prints several of the capital ships of his Majesties Royal Navy with variety of other pieces.'

In-plate text at the bottom: "To the Honoble the Court of Directors of the South Sea Company. This piece being a representation of the Fishery of Great Britain, in it's three different Branches vizt. Cod, Herring, and Whale is most humbly dedicated. Peace now secur'd; by Arts let Britain Reign, Your Woolen and your Fishing Trades regain. Into your hands Heav'n has Produce thrown, Raise these Machines and all the Worlds yor own."