The Port of Shields
WAG 443
Information
Hemy was born and originally trained in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Later he went to the Antwerp Academy in Belgium. Hemy was predominantly a marine painter, especially of fishing and fishermen. In 1881, he moved to Falmouth in Cornwall, which provided much of his inspiration.
There is no specific Port of Shields, but both North and South Shields, on either side of the mouth of the River Tyne, have long histories of fishing and shipbuilding. Hemy is probably referring to the North Shields Fish Quay, which has existed in one form or another since the 13th century and is still a working fishing port. 'Shields' derives from the Middle English 'schiele', which meant temporary huts used by fishermen.