Heritage and History
Maritime and fishing heritage
Barking was once Britain's busiest fishing port. By 1850 at least 220 fishing smacks were operating out of Barking, each with a crew averaging 8 men and boys.
The town was full of businesses supporting the fishing industry, such as shipwrights, mast makers, sail makers, ships' chandlers, water keg makers, pork cask makers, net makers, knitters of fishermen's sweaters, makers of waterproof clothing and boots, and ships' biscuit bakers.
This success was overwhelmingly due to the Hewett family, who owned the Short Blue Fleet.
The fishermen and boats of Barking were also regularly employed by the Royal Navy in times of war.
Please see the links below for more information.
The Barking Fishing Fleet 
PDF 95K
Maritime and Fishing Archive Photographs|
Fishing frescoes at Eastbury Manor House|
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