Interview with Percy Quirk about Peel and its fishing industry
Audio Player:
Date(s): 21 February 1996
Creator(s): Cresswell, Yvonne M.
Scope & Content: Track 1: Percy Quirk talks to Yvonne Cresswell about his memories of growing up and working in the fishing industry in Peel. Percy talks about his grandmother, 18 Castle Street, taking in fish workers; the fishyard; 1938 Kelsalls first herring splitting machine in the Isle of Man; father’s job in fishyard; his working the fish splitting machine aged 9 and sending kippers all over the world. Percy explains how the kippers were processed; how he made kipper boxes in the school holidays; work of the kipper smokers.
He talks about the people who stayed at his grandmother's; kipper house and Willie Cane painting kipper yard; men on the boats; fish market by quayside; protest against ring-net boats; fishermen selling fish; herring salted in bulk; visitors to Peel; kipper smokers; fish sold from horse and cart; winter work.
Percy recalls Peel Clothworker’s school; night fishing seeing the lights of Dublin. He talks about his memories of the Second World War including camping on Peel Hill when he saw Belfast bombed; Peel internment camp; clock changes; living in Station Road.
Track 2: Percy continues to talk about the Morrisons, Beach street; Peel sail loft where sails made for Sir Thomas Lipton for the America’s Cup. He tells a comical story about woman sailing to India to get married. He talks about barking trough and boiler and Jack Greggor knowing about boat builders.
Language: English
Extent: 53 min. 32 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0402
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH