OUR KITTY sailing down the channel towards the Kafiga Landings.

OUR KITTY in the bay just off Hartlepool.

...back home after another fishing trip and headed for the Kafiga Landings.

Stan, I've tried looking this up before without success. Any idea why KAFIGA? It doesn't sound like a local name, more Middle East.

I have spoken to many local people they have no idea where the name Kafiga came from. It was always the fish quay back in the early days and I was surprised to hear someone tell me that's what it is called now. The fish quay, of course, is totally separate.

Thanks Stan, It sounds more like a Gallipoli sort of thing. I presume it is the dock at right angles to the Fish Quay leading towards the offshore yard.

I've posted a map which shows the Kafiga Landings location and other main berths in Hartlepool Harbour. Map © Bing Maps.

Thank's Stan, that's where I was trying to describe. But your map does lead me to another question if you don't mind. You show Irvine's Quay opposite the Fish Quay and I don't doubt its name, but I understand that Irvine's Yard was in the West Dock, the entrance to the old Coal Dock, now the Marina. So why Irvine's Quay?

I really can't answer that question. I do remember the docks as they used to be when I was a child - with the coal staithes and ships being launched elsewhere. Perhaps someone like Derek Hinds might be more knowledgeable on this subject. I really don't know why it's called Irvine's Quay.

Reference to Bert Spaldin's book SHIPBUILDERS OF THE HARTLEPOOLS shows that initially there were five separate shipyards along the bank of the Old Harbour. These subsequently became Withy Alexander, then E. Withy, later Furness Withy and finally Irvine's S.B. & D.D. Co. Further reading within the book suggests the yard took the final Irvine's title in 1909 and continued ship-building there until 1938. Hence, although you are correct about the origins of Irvine's, the present Irvine's Quay does have clear historic links with the company in its later days.

Ron