Lymington as a Harbour
With the decline in the salt industry Lymington continued to grow as a port town and trade centre.
With the trade of salt came imported commodities such as oils and animal skins from America, Newfoundland, Holland and the Baltic.
Vessels such as the Charming Sally, the Dolphin and the Sea Horse left from Lymington Quay to face the perilous Atlantic round trip lasting three months.
With the legal trade came smuggling and Lymington’s infamy grew with an increasing number of hostelries (at one time as many as 45 scattered about the town) some acting as head quarters for groups of well organized smugglers.
Drainage tunnels around the Quay were used under the veil of night to transport contraband.
The shady industry thrived with brandy and silks being amongst the favourite of all contraband.
Lymington’s notoriety spread, indeed Daniel Defoe is attributed with complaining of the “rogueing and smuggling” in 1720.
Gas street lamps were introduced in 1832 and Lymington went on to become one of the first towns in the South to convert to electric street lamps.
However in 1933 the town reverted back to gas.
Most say this was a result of the increased cost of electricity while others cynically point out that the Mayor and several councillors held shares in the Lymington Gas and Coke Company.
A piped water supply was only introduced in 1884.
With its daily double tide the river has supported a local fishing industry for generations.
In 1871 the Lymington Oyster and Fishing Co. Ltd. was formed but oysters soon gave way to breeding fish.
At the mouth of the river, the Jack in the Basket marker post still stands where fishermen’s wives would lovingly row out and leave their husbands food and drink in baskets.
Now about 12 commercial fishing boats operate out of the Quay, ranging from 20 to 40 foot trawlers and crabbers.
Principle catches are shellfish including oysters dredged from the Solent in the winter.
There is a busy trade in charter boats catering for anglers as well as pleasure cruisers to the Isle of Wight.
Lymington Harbour and Commissioners administer activities on the river through the Harbour Master and the Chief Executive.
There is a speed limit of 6 knots in the river and anchoring is prohibited.
Visitors are advised to sail straight to the Town Quay, where there are up to 140 berths for a maximum overall length of 12 metres.
During the summer months there is a good yachting social scene at the Marina and throughout the town.
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