Dory Language

B

Bailer: wooden and metal scoop used to toss water out of the dory.

D

Dory anchor and float-marker:
small version of iron ship anchor secures one end of baited trawl line to the bottom; the other end is attatched to floating numbered wooden barrel with flag.

Dory:
a small, flat-bottomed boat used for fishing from a larger vessel in the open ocean; noted for stability and ability to carry heavy loads of fish; can be rowed or sailed.

Doryman:
one of the two men fishing in a dory.

F

Fog horn and kerosene lamp:
used to signal the schooner (by sound or light) in thick fog or darkness.

G

Gob stick:
heavy two-pronged wooden stick used to stun fish and to remove hooks from their throats.

Gurdy:
a hand-crank which fits across the bow; used to haul in lines heavy with fish.

H

Halibut killer:
heavy wooden club used to stun or kill large fish, like halibut, which can weigh over 200 pounds.

N

Nippers:
doughnut-shaped items to protect fisherman’s fingers from running trawl lines.

O

Oars:
wooden poles with broad blades rowed by hand to propel a small boat.

P

Pay out:
to slack away (to let out) a line that has been secured on board.

Pen boards:
flat pieces of wood used to section out parts of the dory to hold fish.

T

Tholepins:
narrow wooden pegs that fit into the top rail of a dory and hold the oars in place while rowing.

Trawl:
a buoyed line holding many shorter lines with baited hooks.

Trawl-tub:
half-barrel used to hold coiled trawl line and hooks.