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Fisherman's gansey or jumper

Date made: late 19th century

Maker: unknown

Place made: Port St Mary

Description: A hand knitted fisherman's gansey, which may have belonged to James Gorry, a fisherman from Port St Mary.

The fisherman's gansey has been made from indigo-dyed wool and has a simple knitted pattern on the shoulders, whilst the rest of the garment is plain. It would have been a tight fit for the fisherman who wore it; such garments were safer to wear at sea than coats, because they did not have any buttons to catch in the nets.

The earliest fishermen’s ganseys would have been handknitted at home, but in later years they would have been purchased from chandlers and other fishermen’s suppliers. It was said that the patterns on the early ganseys acted as an aid to identification of a body if a boat was wrecked. The thick woollen pullovers were essential for men working at sea often in the foulest of weathers, and were often patched and repatched as sleeves and cuffs wore out. Ganseys have now largely been replaced by oilskins and fishermen's smocks.

Materials: wool

Object name: gansey

Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection

ID Number: 1954-3757

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