Herring shovel

Date made: 19th century

Maker: unknown

Place made: Port St Mary

Description: A handmade wooden herring shovel, used to move herring without damaging the fish. The shovel was donated by Mr 'Johnney' Quine of Port St Mary and may have been used by him or by his uncle, Captain John Quine of Surby, on his fishing vessel the Swift.

The wooden shovel has a series of marks cut into the handle, which are thought to be tally marks used in counting out measures of fish. The shovel was donated in 1938, but still appears to have fish scales on it from its last use.

Fishing has always been a major part of the Manx way of life and economy. By 1883, it was estimated that some 3,500 people were directly or indirectly employed in the fishing industry and overall perhaps a quarter of the Manx population depended upon fishing for its livelihood. At this time the chief catch was herring, which would be sold fresh, salted, or split and smoked as the world famous Manx kippers.

Measurements: 83 x 30 x 9 cm

Materials: wood

Object name: shovel

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 1954-4456

Subject tags : SHIC 4.15 - Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Fishing

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