Royal Naval Reserve certificate

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

22104

Title

Royal Naval Reserve certificate

Description

Certificate; good condition. White linen with text printed in black and completed in ink. The letter is authorizing John C Hackland as skipper in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Date

1917

Size

30 x 36 cm

Type

Linen

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

Ref NH1/54/94.

Fishermen from ports all round the Scottish coast volunteered for the Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War. Their knowledge of the sea and years of experience meant that they could make a valuable contribution to the war effort. Here, the men of Newhaven were no exception.

This shows a Royal Naval Reserve certificate, issued to Newhaven fisherman John Hackland. The certificate authorizes him to board and take charge as skipper on any vessel to which he may be appointed. It was issued in October 1917.

Newhaven grew from the site chosen by King James lV to build his greatest ship, the Michael. Until local fishermen began to follow the herring in the late 18C, they made a comfortable living dredging for oysters and line fishing for white fish. Only one lobster boat fishes from the village today, the rest being leisure craft.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Events > Wars > Defense industries

Events > Wars > War correspondents

Events > Wars > Wars

Events > Wars > World wars

Places > Edinburgh areas > Newhaven

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh