In the 18th and early 19th century, Woudsend’s workforce was for a large part active in the shipping industry. Woudsend counted approx. 35 shippers as well as many carpenters, sail makers, rope makers, block makers and blacksmiths. However, the shippers and their crew were obviously those who returned home with the most thrilling stories.
Rumour has it that…
Sailing the high seas was not without risk; many wars were being waged at sea, making international commercial shipping a risky business. Not to mention the extreme weather conditions. The story goes that Lolle Harings Nauta, one of the most famous Woudsend shippers, remained stuck in the ice with his vessel in Russia for a whole six months. This was in the winter of 1788, one of the harshest ever. So, although the 18th century brought great prosperity to Woudsend, it also saw great hardship and sacrifices…