AROUND the wild and windswept Cornish coast fishing has been a way of life for centuries.

Sons have followed fathers and grandfathers in the family boats, setting out from ports such as Polperro, Mevagissey, Mousehole, Newlyn, St Ives, Port Isaac and Looe to brave the stormy Atlantic Ocean to earn their living.

Those who fished these waters faced, and still face, potential danger every time they put to sea. Before the memories are lost forever, author Sheila Bird has taken the time to talk to the fishermen of Cornwall in her latest book 'Memories of the Cornish Fishing Industry.'

Using first-hand accounts and a fascinating collection of photographs, she tells their story; the conditions, the work, the people and the humour.

During the Second World War local fishermen were enlisted by the Royal Navy. Claudie Richards of Polruan has vivid memories of his wartime service in his requisitioned boat, Rosemary.

Sent to rendezvous with a submarine to bring back wounded personnel, he was worried about finding the vessel, as he did not navigate to the same system as the Royal Navy.

He recalled: 'It was dark, with patches of drizzly rain.

'I slowed the engine down, then it come calm and I could smell cigarette smoke.

'Then suddenly this great thing loomed up in front of me —it was the conning tower of a submarine!

'I went alongside and the officer called out "I say, how did you find me?"

Claudie told him about the cigarette smoke drawing him to the right rendezvous spot, as he did not smoke himself.

'He said, "Well, I'm damned." .... I brought two gentlemen and a lady ashore, but I didn't see that lady.

'She was in a bad way. She was all wrapped up and lying down in the boat.'

These and many other tales make 'Memories of the Cornish Fishing Industry' a good catch for any reader.

Priced at £8.99 and published by Countryside Books of Newbury, Berkshire. ISBN: 9781846741579