Hastings

:This is about Hastings in England. There are other uses of the name Hastings.

Fishing

Until the development of tourism, fishing was Hastings' major industry. Steve Peak's monumental book on the fishing fleet2, is a major work of scholarship and affection, available from the town's museums. The opening paragraph gives a flavour of the subject:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:"The Hastings fishing industry has a long and unusual history. Fishing boats similar to those used at Hastings today have worked from almost the same beach under the Hastings cliffs for at least 400, and quite probably 600 or more years. Despite the exposed landing site the Hastings fleet has survived many difficult times because the town lies next to one of Britain's most prolific fishing grounds, Rye Bay."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hastings being no longer a port, fishing vessels have to be registered at Rye, and thus bear the letters R.X.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~