...Facing the Fury

At the Mercy of the Sea

Compensation for early fishermen was an uncertain matter. Seamen were signed on for wages of $30.00 a month and food for trips that might take several months to return to Gloucester. The captain received $100.00 a month plus food. There were also bonus payments for the cook and engineer. And you'd think, plenty of fish!

Long line fishing from a dory was fraught with imminent danger. Storms, fogs, and winter weather were constant cause for worry for the men who crewed the little boats.

There are many tales of men who drifted away from their mother ship and then had to row as much as 175 miles to shore, often reaching it with frozen hands or feet.

Even in harbor men in dories were far from safe. Storms could erupt suddenly, with such fury as to drive the fragile two-man dories fishing in Gloucester harbor out to the black and stormy ocean.

Scarcely a winter passed without scores of widows and hundreds of orphans left in Gloucester to mourn the men who had gone down in the Banks. One gale alone cost 15 schooners and 120 fishermen.

Gloucester Fishermen Escape Death on Treacherous Sable Island

Cormorant Attacked Two Fishermen in Open Boat

Eight Days Astray Without Food or Water

Codfish Continues Scarce and High Prices Prevail

Conditions Improve

Safety devices and new ship construction came with the turn of the century. Vessels became steel-hulled instead of wooden, holds were enlarged to increase tonnage, cramped crew quarters became more comfortable.

The introduction of diesel boats brought much needed maneuverability. The sailing vessels of the early Gorton's days may have been sturdy and swift but they relied on the kindness of capricious winds. Diesel powered boats were able to survive the constant rough weather conditions. They could buck hostile gales and maneuver quickly to pick up dory men tending the long lines.

These new diesel propelled ships removed a great part of the risks experienced by North Atlantic fishermen -- but not all of them! The sea remained a harsh mistress.