Emsworth's History - The Emsworth Oyster Fishery
By By 1878 approximately 50 vessels belonged to Emsworth - rowing boats for fishing within the harbour, and smacks of up to 30 tons and 50 feet in length capable of fishing in more distant waters. A small number of boats were involved in coastal trade with commodities including coal, corn and timber. For its size, Emsworth had a significant shipbuilding industry and the supported manufacturing of sailcloth, fishing nets and rope. Perhaps the most famous Emsworth shipbuilder was J.D. Foster who built cutters and fast deep-water ketches from 1880 onwards. Today, a century later, it is the 'Echo', Foster's fastest and largest cutter with an overall length of 112 feet, for which it is most renowned. It is reputed to have been the largest fishing vessel to have sailed out of an English port.
Emsworth's Last remaining Oyster Boat, Terror
The Terror was an open
sailing boat built around 1890 and used for
conveying oysters around Chichester Harbour.
It is believed to have been one of a number
built by Foster's in Emsworth in c1880.
Around 29 feet long, nine feet six in beam
and two feet six deep,The Terror was used in
the oyster fishery of Chichester Harbour
until its rapid decline after 1902. She had
a number of private owners throughout the
20th century until purchased in 2004 by
Chichester Harbour Conservancy and restored
at Dolphin quay Boat Yard, Emsworth, with
the help of a lottery grant. The restoration
was completed and the boat was re-launched
in September 2006.
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More History
Listed Buildngs
Crossing to Hayling Island - Wadeway & Bridges
WESTBOURNE - A village history in West Sussex: (External Link) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Emsworth Museum 10b North Street, (above the Fire Station) Emsworth, PO10 7DD. GO TO THE MUSEUM'S WEBSITE |