62 FISHMEMEN OF THE UNITED STATES. 



sayiug that "so long as yoa soak them in a bucket you will never get enough to soak in a barrel." 

 , Some think it is a Jonah, when a vessel is coming to anchor on the Banks and is "sticking out" her 

 cable, to have a splice stop in the hawse-pipe, and it is frequently remarked by such that the vessel 

 will not be successful in that berth, and the result will be that she will have to change her position. 

 It is also thought, by a very few however, that it is a Jonah to have a dory, in leaving the vessel, 

 turn round from right to left or in a direction contrary to that of the sun. Some skippers think it 

 is a Jonah to keep the vessel's deck clean when on the fishing grounds, and they will allow only 

 such cleaning as is absolutely necessary. Others, on the contrary, are very particular in the matter 

 of having their vessels kept clean. 



The prevalent belief in "luck" has already been mentioned. Certain vessels and men acquire 

 the enviable reputation of being the luckiest in the fleet, and it is always thought a piece of good 

 fortune to be able to ship on board of such vessels or in company with such men. Certain articles 

 also gain the reputation of bringing good luck. For instance, during the past two or three years, 

 since the United States Fish Commission has been sending out collecting tanks full of alcohol on 

 some of the vessels, it has come to be regarded by many of the fishermen as a matter of good luck 

 to have one on board. One of the most successful Crloncester skippers went out on a voyage in 

 1880 without the tank which he had been accustomed to carry and was unsuccessful. Upon his 

 return he came to the headquarters of the Commission and begged for a tank, saying that he would 

 not, on any account, go out again to the fishing grounds without collecting materials on board. 

 Such instances as these are mentioned simply to indicate how great importance is given to little 

 things, and to show how the superstitious instincts of these men lead them rapidly from one belief 

 to another, while the general skeptical tendency of the age prevents any very strong and perma- 

 nent belief in any particular form of superstitution. 



Unlucky days and acts. — The belief that Friday is an unlucky day still holds among 

 many of the fishermen, but the old idea is fast dying out. A quarter of a century ago few 

 Gloucester fishermen would go to sea on a Friday, but at the present time little attention is paid 

 to this ; and in this respect the fishing vessels are perhaps in advance of many vessels in the 

 merchant marine and in the Navy. This revolution in opinions has been brought about simply 

 through the influence of a few independent and determined men. 



Certain acts are considered unlucky; for instance, to kill a "Mother Carey's chicken" or 

 petrel. This superstition is also going out since many of the vessels during the past years have 

 been obliged to kill these birds for bait. It is regarded unlucky by a great many fishermen to 

 drive a nail on Sunday. To combat this idea certain skippers have been known to amuse them- 

 selves on that day when at sea by driving naUs. It is unlucky to leave a hatch bottom side up 

 upon the deck; such an act is supposed to be the possible cause of some future disaster to the 

 vessel. 



Accidents, too, are unlucky and are sometimes regarded as sufllcient reasons for disaster. To 

 let a hatch fall down into the hold is considered especially unfortunate, while to break a looking- 

 glass is disastrous not only to the vessel but to the person, family, and friends of the man who is the 

 cause of the breakage.* 



Fishermen are not as a rule given to forebodings of ill. They always go to sea with brave 

 hearts, the idea that they may never return to port seldom being allowed consideration, no matter 

 how many of their comrades have been lost within a few days. 



* The superstition regarding the ill effects which may result from breaking a looking-glass is very wide-spread on 

 shore as well as among seamen. In various parts of the United States — in the cities as well as in rural districts — the 

 remark is often heard that the breaking of a glass indicates " seven years hard luck." It will be seen that this belief 

 is not confined to fishermen, but, like many other superstitionB with which they are credited, is doubtless borrowed 

 from people on shore. 



