Crossfields of Arnside were leading builders of yachts and Morecambe Bay Prawners, also known as Nobbies. They were active from the 1840s to the 1940s. Their heyday was the period leading up to the First World War. They also acted as village joiners, built coffins and hired out boats.
John Crossfield 1782 - 1864
The first Crossfield to move to Arnside was John, who set up a village joinery business in the early nineteenth century.
Francis Crossfield 1811 - 1899
His younger son Francis developed the boat building side of the business, launching his first boat in 1838, whilst his elder brother Thomas concentrated on house building
Crossfield Brothers, Top Shop, Church Hill
By the mid 1880s the business was being run by his sons William, Francis, John and George as Crossfield Brothers operating from the Top Shop yard on Church Hill opposite Arnside EI. Boats were rolled down the hill to the shore and launched from the beach. The Top Shop Boat Yard was redeveloped as housing in 2019.
William Crossfield and Sons, Beach Walk
In 1892 William, the eldest son set up the Beach Walk Boatyard on the shore operating as William Crossfield and Sons taking his brother Francis with him. His sons Frederick and William Junior continued to operate the Beach Walk boatyard till the 1940s. The demand for yachts and prawners declined after the First World War
Crossfield Brothers (John and George)
The Top Shop Boatyard was run as Crossfield Brothers run by William's half brothers John and George from 1892 to 1906.
John Crossfield, Conwy
In 1906 John moved to Conwy opening a boat building business there that lasted till 1983.
George Crossfield and Sons
The Top Shop boatyard was then run by his younger brother George as George Crossfield and Sons. When George died in 1909 the name reverted to Crossfield Brothers run by his sons, George and Herbert.
Crossfield Brothers, Hoylake
In 1915, George and Herbert moved to Hoylake in the Wirral, the business lasting till the early 20s.
Crossfield Successors
When Frederick, the last of the Crossfields retired, the Beach Walk Boatyard was run as Crossfields Successors, firstly by John Gill till 1966 and then John Duerden till 1983. The yard finally closed in the mid 1980s. The building has been unused ever since. Crossfield Successors made 13 of the West Kirby Hilbre Class. They acted as Yacht Chandlers, maintained moorings in the estuary and provide boat storage in the adjacent quarry. John Duerden was instrumental in setting up the Arnside Coastguard Station. A large shed was added to the boatyard where Arnside Coastguard Station is. A second story was added to the boathouse.
Crossfields and Morecambe Bay Prawners
Crossfields are principally known for Morecambe Bay Prawners (or Lancashire Nobbies). These were fast gaff rigged fishing boat designed to cope with the shallow waters of the North West Coast, pull a heavy trawling net and get a perishable catch back to market as quickly as possible. Railways enabled the catch to be taken to the industrial towns of the North West fuelling the expansion of the fishing industry. Crossfields sold Prawners to ports from North Wales to Southern Scotland, though Morecambe and Fleetwood accounted for most of their sales of these boats.
Distinctive features of Morecambe Bay Prawners are the elliptical stern, central cockpit with a large deck area and low freeboard to facilitate the working of nets, high bows to cope with rough sea conditions, a large sail area and shallow draft.
