The main industries on Stroma
were crofting, fishing and boatbuilding.
"In common with most people who lived on Stroma we relied on
crofting and fishing for our livelihood."
Jessie Crowe from 'Strorna' edited by D, Young (primary source)
"Being an island, fishing was the main industry.'
William J. Sinclair
from 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)
Fishing was an all year job and all types were employed, i.e. lobster
fishing, herring fishing, cod fishing and halibut fishing. Cod fishing
continued all year round, weather permitting. Halibut line fishing
usually took place in the summer due to the correct bait being difficult
to acquire in winter; the herring caught was used as bait for other
fishing. The lobsters and crabs were caught in handmade creels; the
lobsters, which were a luxury food, were boxed and sent to Billingsgate
market in London. However there were high casualties among the catch,
and it wasn't a reliable source of income-
After a fishing trip the catch was divided equally into piles for each
member of crew, to ensure they got their fair share. Large quantities of
cod were caught in summer and salted; these were often sold to merchants
in Wick.
"Stroma 'hard' fish was a much sought after commodity."'
Jessie Crowe
from'Stroma'edited by D. Young
(primary source)
The other main industry on Stroma was crofting, but as fishing was the
principal means of support, crofting came second.
" a considerable amount of croftwork....... had to be done by the
women folk whilst the men were fishing."
Jessie Crowe
by 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)
The average croft size was ten acres of mainly arable land and each
typically had 2 cows, 2 sheep, a horse, a pig and 20 hens. Oats, bere,
hay, potatoes and turnips were the main crops grown along with
vegetables in the garden. There was a click mill powered by a river for
grinding corn.
The cow provided milk which was used to make butter, crowdie, cheese or
cream. The hens produced eggs, extra could be exchanged for groceries at
the shop. The pig was fattened through the year and slaughtered at
Christmas for the year ahead. Similarly, the sheep were slaughtered just
before harvest to give fresh supplies of mutton. Finally, the lambs were
either bought or shipped to the mainland to - appear at the marts.
Stroma was renowned for it's shipbuilding industry.
"A Stroma built boat was regarded as the best, and safest model
that one could buy, similar to a trademark nowadays."
'
William J. Sinclair
from 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)
The Stroma yawls were all built to the same design and came in 12 foot,
14 foot or 18 foot models. Generally the 12 foot boats were for inshore
lobster fishing, the 14 foot boats for cod fishing and the 18 foot boats
for taking cattle to the mainland, carrying peat and coal to Stroma and
also for cod fishing in stormy weather.
The woodwork of the yawls was all made by the Stroma carpenters but the
ironwork was made in the smithy at Huna. Once engines were introduced a
man from Glasgow had to come up to install them. These yawls were sold
to fishermen in Caithness, Orkney and some to the West Coast.
Conclusion:
Stroma boasted many successful industries, which meant plenty of jobs
for the islanders and also provided the people with virtually everything
they could need. These industries all relied greatly on mainland buyers,
especially the boat building; which also needed the skills of mainland
smithies to complete a yawl as this could not be done on the island.
From the above information I would say that the Stroma industries were
very successful but they would not have been so successful if they did
not trade with the mainland. |