Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-15
T'ishcrmen's Superstitions.

Fishermen are famous O. their superstitions
One OF their newest ones works most bene-
ficially to science. Many of the most important
contributions to the fish department of the ma
tional museum at Washington come from the
Gloucester fishermen, who have developed q
great interest in the work. and save for the
museum the rare specimens frequently taken
during their voyages. They carry special tanks
for preserving these collections, and believe
that these tanks are the means OF bringing
good luck to q craft. The old belief in lucky
and unlucky sailing days is said to be dying
out among the Gloucester fishermen. fact
said to be due. In degree at least to the sharp
competition that has sprung up. 1t is not an
unusual sight, when a fine Friday comes after
spell of bad weather. to see large fleet
spread sail and depart for the fishing grounds
belief in ''JOnahs' prevails among fishermen
Jonah may be something animate or nani-
mate. or even the result of the actions or acct
dents OF persons; in fact, almost everything that
is supposed to bring Ill luck is called JONAH
vessel regarded as unfortunate is thus said to
be Jonah; it is often difficult to obtain crew
of good men for her. If men are scarce, although
she may be well adapted for the business
Equal trouble is also sometimes experienc ed
by expert fishermen in securing q, berth aboard
vessel, because they have the reputation of
being JOnahs. 1t occasionally happens that
some vessels meet with i'll fortune for years in
succession, and. under such circumstances,
u
as pr OOfs of holy writ
A singular circumstance of this kind Is re-
called. Several years ago a new vessel was
brought to Gloucester from the port where she
was built. She was of the largest class en-
ployed In the fisheries-a beauty In model and
rlg-and the skipper, who was young man and
part owner, felt a commendable pride in his fine
schooner. One day, however, an acquaintance
of the captain said to him, while the vessel was
being fitted for her first trip. "I'm sorry you
have had that vessel built" When asked for
his reasons he continued: 81 have known the
man who built her to launch more than twenty
sch0oners during the past few years, and none
OF them ever made 81 for their owners while
few Of them have lived more than two or three
years; being either wrecked on the shore or
captain who sailed in this schooner had no luck
for nineteen months. although he had previously
been fortunate and felt q pride in his business
Finally, becoming disguised and somewhat dis.
heartened, he sold out his share Of the vessel
and left her, almost convinced that what had
been told him by his friend was not far from the
truth. The schooner (nOt yet two years old
was lost at sea on her next voyage. The cap
talC and two of the crew were drowned and
the survivors. after enduring much suffering
while dashed TO the wreck, were finally taken off
and returned home This schooner was cOntin-
ual!y meeting with ill-fOrtune from the day she
nrsc sailed out of Gloucester harbOr to the time
of her wreck.
lie DelieI In JOnahs fortunately often meets
with rebuff SO severe as to hinder it from be-
coming anything like a general one. One skip
per once inquired of another, nodding his head
IN the direction of a man who was at work on
the vessel: Are you going to carry that MANI"
Receiving an affirmative reply, he continued
You won't get any fish. then. He's regular
JONAH" The reply was: .'Jonah or no JONAH
ne goes this trip anyway" The trip in ques-
ton proved successful one, and nothing more
was heard of the man being Jonah. The luck
of men often seems to change. After they have
been for some time regarded as Jonahs, and
those who previously have felt much opposed to
being shipmates with them, are glad to sail in
the same vessels. Some fishermen believe that
valise, when carried on board a vessel. is a
Jonah. Probably this is largely due to prejudice
ieit against carrying such an unseamanlike
article on fishing trip. Other things regarded
boards, toy boats, bucket setting on deck
partly full Of water and soaking mackerel in q
bucket.