Coble Bones speaks to both the resilience and fragility of Hartlepool’s maritime heritage, evoking the stories of generations who lived by the sea. The coble, a traditional flat-bottomed fishing boat, was ideal for the choppy waters and shallow shores around Hartlepool.

For centuries, fishing sustained the town, with families relying on the daily catch. The calls of fishwives and the sight of cobles braving the waves were once central to life along the coast. Though industrialisation transformed the community, the memory of Hartlepool’s fishing industry endures, a poignant reminder of the town’s deep connection to the sea.