The Fisherman’s Wife stands on the Klockeberget lookout point and stares out to sea. This wooden sculpture was erected in the 1990s to commemmorate all the fishermen’s wives and children who stood and kept watch for homecoming fishing boats. The fishermen’s work was dangerous and there were many who never returned to their homes. In the old churchyard, with the inscription, “Think of death” on the entrance arch, is a memorial stone to the fishermen who disappeared.
Fishing was vitally important
As far back as the end of the 16th century Mollösund was an important centre for fishing. There was a lively trade with Great Britain and France, among others, and many boats came to Mollösund to buy and load up with herring. In the Bahus Läns Beskrifning (Bohus Province records) from 1746 Oedman wrote: “the rich have large boats, as they live in Lysekil, Gullholmen and Mollösund, which lie far out at Sea and remain there for 4 or even 6 weeks Trawling for Ling…” Fishing boats stayed out for about 5 weeks and when it was time to return home the women and children took turns in keeping watch on the coastal approaches.
Communication in those days
The fishermen had no means of contacting their families while they were out at sea, and those left at home were constantly fearful and wondering whether their fathers and husbands would make it back each time. It regularly happened that ships never returned. When a boat was seen on the horizon, a song was sung to announce the good news to everyone in Mollösund.
“Welcoming song for the fishing boats”, “Tre la la” or ”The Tre la la song”
Tre la o la o la
Tre la o la
Tre la o la o la
Tre la o la
Here he is
Close to land
Tre la o la
