Fishermen

Fishermen in Whitby, circa 1900 Whitby, North Yorkshire – United Kingdom

A moment frozen in time: two seasoned fishermen, weathered by salt and sea, rest beside their boat on the stony beach of Whitby, while a woman —perhaps a wife, daughter, or fellow worker— balances a bundle of nets or branches on her head, a quiet testament to the unseen labour of women by the sea.

Captured by the lens of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, this photograph reveals more than just faces or clothing; it tells the story of dignity in labour and the unspoken bonds of those who lived from the tides. Wet boots, worn skirts, calloused hands... every detail speaks of an era when fishing was not just a job, but a way of life.

🔹 Whitby – a harbour of seafarers, legends, and salt-soaked histories.

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