Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-02-12
DREDGING FOR OYSTERS.
Men Of the PUNCHES, and Their
Methods of Work.
Hardships Of Those who Bring the
Toothsome Oyster from His Bed.

Hardships Of Those who Bring the
Toothsome Oyster from His Bed.
Each pungy engaged in dredging
for oysters is provided with two dredg-
es. They are iron instruments, with
chain netting made in the form of q
pocket. The mouths of these pockets
are provided with teeth for scraping up
the oysters. The dredges have ropes
attached to them which are fastened to
iron winders placed amidships on both
the port and starboard sides ofthe YES
sci. These winders are iron and pro-
vided with cranks. They are securely
fastened to the decks. The dredger
loves a stiff breeze. He cannot work
to advantage without it, and ifit blows
q half gale he likes it the better. When
the boat reaches the place where it is
proposed to work, the two dredges are
thrown overheard and hauled along
the bottom by the vessel. Each dredge
will hold two and q half bushels of
oysters, but they are rarely drawn up
full, except on an especially fine bed.
The speed desired by the dredger is
two miles an hour. The sails are
therefore trimmed to keep this speed.
Four men are required at each win
der. When the dredge is supposed to
have oysters in it four men seize the
two iron cranks of the winder and be-
gin the laborious task of winding the
rope around the cylinder until the
dredge is drawn up. 1t is hard work,
l tell you, and often very cold. Some.
times the crank may feel like fire and
take the skin off the hands. Every
drop of water which strikes the decks
and clothing of the men may be froez-
ing. but tEey have got to work all the
same. Oysters sell better in cold wealth
er, and that is the time to catch them.
The captain takes part with his men.
His place is at the tiller to stear and
have general direction of the boat
Woe to the men at the cranks when
the ropes slip or the dredges strike
snag on the bottom. The cranks are
snatched from the men and fly around
with lightning speed, often resulting
in broken arms, legs and lacerated bod
les. / once saw crank knock the top
of mans head of. as clean as it could
have been cut with saw. Accidents
from the crank are frequent. There is
not q day passes but some poor fellow
on the oyster grounds receives
wound from it.
The dredge boats 60 out from the
harbors, where they spend the nights,
at a very early hour in the morning,
and work as long as they can see in
the evening. They stop for no wealth
er except heavy gale or furious snow
storm. They will often work in a
young hurricance under a windward
shore, where they can only carry lit
tie piece of mainsail and jib. The men
are compelled to be on deck in all kinds
OF weather and work like beavers.
They get soaked with rain and have
their clothes frozen on them. They
sometimes have their ears, noses, hands
and feet nearly eaten off by the frost
and have to put up with uncomfort-
able sleeping quarters at night AS
many of them have not got change of
clothing, they lie down in their frozen
garments at night and thaw out. So
this process of freezing through the
day and thawing out at night goes on,
andit is no wonder that many of them
die of pneumonia and other maladies
incident to so rough a life. 1t too often
happens that when a man gets sick he
tssput ashore at some point 10y his cap
tain. without money. and left to Shift
for himself as best he can But on the
other Eand, some of these fellows who
come to the city with such tales are de-
serters from their vessels. The only
time that dredgers have picnic is dur
ing the prevalence of storm so violen.
that the boats are compelled to lay in
harbor. The men then lay about the
cabins and forecastle smoking, sleeping
and drinking,if they can get the liquor.
The food on the dredge boasts is coul Sc,
but substantial. They have coffee Germ
ed beef, bread and cabbage. They also
haYe soup.
The pay of hand on these vessels is
about SIS to $40 per month. Some few
experienced dredging hands will get as
high as $50 and $40 per month. Some
times the crew agree to work on shares
and divide the proceeds of the vessel