East Cleveland Image Archive

Three Runswick fishermen, scan the sea in this posed Phoenix Series view post marked 10th January 1906. Wearing their best “Ganseys”, the Runswick Bay Pattern is evident; each fishing village on the Yorkshire coast had it’s own pattern. The owners initials were picked out on the gansey this with the pattern so identifying the body of a drowned fisherman to his village. An occupational hazard on this coast. Interestingly the photographer must have been well aware of his surroundings; as this area of Runswick Bay is still known as ‘The Lookout’.

Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.

A John Thomas Ross (of Whitby) postcard shows the fishermen’s wives of Runswick who launched the life boat to rescue their husbands on 12th April 1911.

Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.

People are obviously enjoying the beach in this post 1970’s this colour postcard view, in which the solid sea defence wall can be clearly seen.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

This postcard view of Runswick, clearly shows the original road as it curled down the hillside and down to the original drying greens. How blue the sea looks, almost Mediterranean.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

This image clearly shows the former road for Runswick as it zigzagged down the hillside to the village.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.