86 FISHERMEN OF THE UNITED STATES. 



43. COSTUME OF THE SAILOR-FISHERMEN. 



Fifty years ago the costume of our fishermen was similar to that of the average European 

 fishermen of the present day. Indeed, among the early records of the Plymouth colony we find 

 mentioned a number of articles of fishermen's clothing sent over by the English capitalists who 

 interested themselves in the development of the fisheries. A writer in the " Fisherman's Memorial 

 and Record Book " describes the dress of the Gloucester fisherman in the olden time as follows: " It 

 consisted generally of the tarpaulin hat and monkey-jacket or Guernsey frock (sometimes both); 

 the barvel, a stout apron of leather, and the ponderous fishing boots, of astonishing breadth of 

 beam, made of the thickest of russet cow-hide, with tops turning up high over the knees, which, 

 though cumbrous and heavy, constituted an efficient protection against cold and wet." 



The fishing dress chiefly in use at the present time is much lighter, more comfortable, better 

 fitting, and better made than that worn by any other class of sea-faring men, except by sailors in 

 the Navy and on yachts. At the Fishery Exhibitions at Berlin and Loudon were exhibited a num- 

 ber of garments of rubber and oiled cotton which excited much interest. Not only was the excel- 

 lence of the material a subject of general remark, but patterns of these garments were requested 

 by public officers interested in introducing them into use in the fisheries and naval marine of Nor- 

 way, Russia, and Germany. The contrast between the American clothing and the heavy leather 

 garments shown in the Norwegian, Danish, German, and Dutch sections was very striking. 



The dress of the fisherman at the present day, with the exception of waterproof articles, con- 

 sists of trousers, waistcoat, and coat of some woolen fabric. The coat is, however, very frequently 

 replaced by a monkey-jacket or reef-jacket of a heavy woolen fabric, and, iu warm weather, a 

 jumper, or loose jacket of calico, gingham, or wool, similar to that worn by butchers. Their under- 

 clothing is nearly always of some stout wool, and their feet are covered with woolen socks. The 

 ordinary coverings for the feet, when the men are off duty in the cabin, or when on deck in warm 

 weather, are heavy leather slippers. The head covering is generally a wide-awake or slouch hat of 

 felt, though every kind of hat or cap seen on shore is used upon the fishing vessels. A close-fitting 

 cap of dogskin or lambskin, with flaps for protecting the face, ears, and back of the head, was 

 formerly commonly worn in cold weather. This cap is still occasionally used in winter, but a broad- 

 brimmed hat of felt, chip, or straw is in more general use in pleasant weather. 



The outer garments of the fisherman, worn when he is at work, are put on over his ordinary 

 clothing. Since they are peculiar in shape they will be described separately: 



Oil trousers and jacket. — The trousers are made very large and are provided with an apron 

 which covers the entire front of the body with a double layer of cloth, extending high up on 

 the chest and held in that position by straps passing over the shoulders. It has wings or Haps 

 extending back upon each side of the hips, which are buttoned or tied with a string at the front 

 of the waist. 



The oil-jacket is a double-breasted garment, shaped much like a pea-jacket. It has upon the 

 right-hand side an extra flap, called the "weather piece," which buttons over the flap on the left 

 side, thus effectually excluding the water. The collar is about three inches wide at the back and 

 is intended to stand up and button closely around the neck. These are sometimes lined with 

 flannel. 



The sou'wester. — This is a hat of the ordinary sou'wester pattern. There are several shapes 

 in use among our fishermen. The Cape Ann sou'wester is regarded by the fishermen as better 

 than any other. 



The jumper. — This is a light oilcloth garment shaped like a shirt, but with the smallest 



