In 2012 the u3a welcomed a speaker from the local Pioneer Sailing Trust (PST) to one of our monthly meetings. He told the story of the rescue and restoration of the first class smack Pioneer which dredged for oysters off the Dutch coast in late Victorian times. The Pioneer is now a sail training boat providing sea going experience for young people. At the end of the meeting it was suggested that the u3a might help the Trust by exploring the question ‘what would the original crew of Pioneer have worn when working in the harsh North Sea in winter?’
A group formed right away and began finding out about the clothing that would have been worn by seafarers of the period. This proved more difficult than expected: little is recorded about the clothes of working men in Victorian England, even those in hard and risky occupations. The project went on to recreate the various items of clothing which included: underwear, shirts, ganseys, slops, waterproof doppers, stockings, caps and gloves and sea boots. As far as possible, the materials, methods, recipes and patterns of the time were used or their nearest modern equivalents. The group worked closely with the PST which provided some funds for the project.
The project assembled a great deal of information, much was learnt and the group was able to produce a full set of clothing. In 2014 the clothing was shown at a launch event held at the Trust and there was a photoshoot on board Pioneer when the clothing was modelled by members of the u3a and the Trust. In 2016 the collection went on display at the Cutty Sark as part of an exhibition by the Pioneer Sailing Trust. In 2021 the collection went on display at Brightlingsea Museum.
The project culminated in the publication of “Oysters and Oilskins - The Clothes of Victorian East Coast Fishermen” in 2018. The book provides a comprehensive account of the research findings and details of the pattern making, sewing, knitting and proofing involved in making the clothes.
The group received much support from the u3a (especially the photography group), practical and expert help from many local people and funding from the Essex Heritage Trust. It was in many ways a community project.
This gallery shows a variety of pictures which illustrate the work of this group which we in Brightlingsea u3a are very proud of. There is also a link to the Pioneer ST so that you can learn more about the ongoing work done by this Charity. Copies of the book can be purchased from Brightlingsea Museum.
to see each photo in full screen click the picture and then use arrows to move through the set.
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