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Great Yarmouth

The rivers Yare and Waveney flow into Breydon Water, all that remains of a once vast estuary, and then join the Bure at Great Yarmouth to flow out to sea. The passage by boat through Yarmouth has to be timed with care because of low bridges and fast currents, the best time being around ' slack ' water between the ' ebb ' and ' flow '. Safe mooring can be found at the Yacht Station and many boaters moor and visit the town and seaside.

Yarmouth is built on a sand bar which was formed by tidal currents washing debris down the coast and the ebb of the rivers depositing material and blocking the north tidal channel at the mouth of what was a large estuary. It was at first a small settlement of fishermen's huts but became a flourishing fishing station and busy port. In 1272 it was granted the right to be called ' Great ' by King Henry III.

The town's prosperity was due to a small fish called the Herring ( or Bloater ) which could be preserved packed in salt and sent around the country. The large Herring fleet based at Yarmouth flourished until the 1950's, its demise being the invention of the frozen fish finger and the publics taste leaning towards white fish.

The 1900's saw an increase in leisure time with workers granted an annual holiday and bank holidays. With the expansion of the railway and paddle steamers from London, Great Yarmouth became a major holiday destination.

c. 1900

Crowds on the beach enjoy the surf, top right, a sailing boat awaits trippers. Note! everyone is wearing a hat and even the paddlers are fully clothed!

c. 1900

The revolving tower was a great tourist attraction.

1908

The large building in the centre is the ' Norfolk Hotel '.

1907

The Market Place

c1907

A steam paddle boat from London arrives at Haven Bridge, this is the Great Yarmouth Harbour paddle steamer ' Laverock ' built 1889 at 470 tons. She was sold to a French company in 1908 and renamed P.S. Ville de Royan, she was scrapped in 1922.

1950

Boats moored at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, River Bure. The boat moored against the bank, " Bedouin ", has a plaque on the stern, " Jenners, Thorpe, Norwich ", they closed in the 1950's. In the 1960's they established " Maidencraft " which became very successful. The boat moored alongside is " Sea Ranger " Y31, the craft to the left under way is numbered A760.

The Yacht Station is now run by the Broads Authority and has been modernised and new facilities provided, including toilets. Mooring is assisted by Rangers, the first hour is free then it is around (2004) £5 a day and £10 overnight, the charges are reviewed yearly.

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