The Corporation, in 1870, provided the "Rotunda" for the retail fishmongers, and later the building shown on page 176 for the landing and packing of the fish. The erection in the foreground is the lighting stage in connection with the lighthouse on the West Hill.
The market opens at from 5 to 6 a.m. ; several of the public houses around it having special licenses to open at 5 o'clock. The method of selling on the open beach by Dutch auction is still in vogue, no license being required. This is one of the sources of income which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has overlooked. The " Dutch " auctioneer can sell "on a falling price" without a license while those who sell "on a rising price" must pay £10 a year for the privilege. Buyers all stand round the heaps of fish, while the salesman names a price and begins to shout " five bob," " four and nine," " four and six," and so on, until some buyer shouts " SNAP," or something like it, and the lot is his.
(From a Snapshot taken at the time.)
The prominent building is the old Lighthouse, part of which still remains.
The Lifeboat House now stands opposite this on the Parade, and succeeded the old Custom House.
If any reader will rise at five and pay a visit to the fishmarket while business is on, he or she may imagine they are in a foreign country The dress and language so strange. One may be greeted with " Marnin," You reply, "Good morning, much fish this morning ?" " Dere's boco's (plenty) ob feesh dis marnin." Perhaps you will remark that the weather looks queer, and the reply is, " Yus, it looks plannety" (thundery). It is a common saying among the fishermen, " Ven de planets poke up in de westvard and de clouds cum up agin de vind, its sure to raain."
