The Fish

THE FISH, ROBIN HOODS BAY

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Overview

The Fish, possibly the oldest collecting box still in service for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is a good example of Victorian foundry craftsmanship. It meets the criteria for listing as an example of Victorian public statuary and can be seen as a memorial to fishermen lost at sea and the bravery of RNLI volunteers. It provides a clear link to the life of Robin Hood's Bay before the rise of tourism that now dominates the economy of the village.
Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1391560
Date first listed:
10-Apr-2006
List Entry Name:
The Fish
Statutory Address:
THE FISH, ROBIN HOODS BAY
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Location

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1391560
Date first listed:
10-Apr-2006
List Entry Name:
The Fish
Statutory Address 1:
THE FISH, ROBIN HOODS BAY

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
THE FISH, ROBIN HOODS BAY

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
North Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Fylingdales
National Park:
North York Moors
National Grid Reference:
NZ 95312 04859

Details

665/0/10025

WHITBY
ROBIN HOODS BAY
The Fish

11-APR-06

II
Collecting box for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution erected by 1887. Probably made at Batts Iron Foundry (Huttons Works) at Whitby and presented by a local ship owner Captain Isaac Mills and his wife Alice Russell.

Cast iron painted sculpture of a cod fish standing on its tail with its mouth forming a slot for money. It is around 1.2m tall and weighs a just over 110kg. Sited on the south side of the top of the slipway that was formerly used by the village's lifeboat and fishing fleet.

Summary of Importance
The Fish, possibly the oldest collecting box still in service for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is a good example of Victorian foundry craftsmanship. It meets the criteria for listing as an example of Victorian public statuary and can be seen as a memorial to fishermen lost at sea and the bravery of RNLI volunteers. It provides a clear link to the life of Robin Hood's Bay before the rise of tourism that now dominates the economy of the village.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
495268
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of The Fish

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 16-Dec-2025 at 02:06:35.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2025. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2025. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.

End of official list entry

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