At the time Newlyn was also the home to as many as five Methodist and Non-Conformist religious groups, whose congregations included the local fishermen, most of whom practised a ban on fish being landed on the Sabbath.
The next day the police and local fisherman exchanged in a number of violent encounters around Newlyn Harbour.
The only recorded injury was to local Police Inspector Matthews, who was knocked on the head by a fish box.
[2] As the rioting continued seven "Yorkie" vessels were sighted making for Penzance harbour to land their catches there.
The strong resistance met on arrival in Penzance forced the rioters to return to Newlyn.