jackass brig

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1961
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/38382

jackass n Offbeat history The "jackass" brig Since men first went down to the sea in ships they have built many types of craft, some orthodox, some very odd indeed. Not only the vessels but their rigs were strange, and none was more strange than the "Jackass" brig which went to the icefields in the 19th century. The rig was very familiar in Newfoundland between the 1830's and 1870's when that class of craft was used almost exclusively in the annual seal hunt. The vessels averaged 150 tons, and were actually brigantines in the summer- time. When the time for the seal- fishery came around, they were given a large square topsail, and sometimes a top- gallant sail over that, both fitted to the main topmast. It presented a peculiar appear- ance, but the effect was to give the vessels considerable advantage in backing and turning in the icefloe. It has been said that the de- rogatory name of "Jackass" brig was placed on them by the "more fortunate posses- sors of full-rigged brigs," which were the favorites, and the height of a young man's ambition to sail in. In any event, the "Jackass" brigs proved their worth many a time. Used I and Sup Used I and Sup 1 Not used jackass brig; BEAVER1: BEAVER HAT MAN. Checked by Sarah Budgell on Tue 07 Apr 2015; Checked by Cathy Wiseman on Mon 06 Jul 2015; Newspaper article accompanying J_13460; Found