Image showing women, probably fish women, crossing the mud as they attempt to gather shellfish. The women in the foreground appears to be helping her workmate up the bank. Mentioned by Sir Cuthbert Sharp in his ''History of Hartlepool'', they were described as follows:

''The [fish] women perform the most laborious part of the occupation on shore. They are to be seen on the beach waiting the return of the cobles and carry the lines home; the task of baiting is performed by them, which occupies several hours; they have likewise to procure the mussels from the scalps, and, during the time when the sand eels are on the coast, may be seen in groups on different parts of the shore, going even as far as the mouth of the Tees to procure them.''

Photograph Collection Number 684

Info:

Owner: Museum of Hartlepool
Source: Flickr Commons
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