1800s, Irish fishermen in CURRACHS

During the 1800s, two currachs off the west coast of Ireland with the men setting a drift net between the boats to catch herring.

Currachs were traditional small Irish boats, used for fishing just off the west coast of Ireland, and for ferrying people, goods and animals about a long the coastline and in rivers and lakes. Originally built using wicker and wood for the frame work with cow hide stretched over it and tarred to keep it waterproof. A common size for fishing was a 3-man currach, about 6.5 meters long.

Currachs didn't have a keel like most sea-going boats had. But no keel meant it was highly maneuverable with skilled rowers. It handled rough seas like they'd often encounter better than a keeled vessel. It was also much easier to move along the rocky coast where a keeled boat could be caught in the rocks and broken up.