The Fishery Workers

On both chaloupes (shallops) and goélettes (schooners) the crews performed similar duties. For the smaller boats the crew of three consisted of a maître de chaloupe (shallop master) and two compagnon-pêcheurs (companion fishermen). The master was generally the most experienced fisherman and was in charge of steering

the boat and choosing the fishing grounds. His two helpers, who received lower wages, performed such duties as anchoring the boat and storing the catch properly. The larger size of the schooners necessitated a larger crew than that carried by the shallops. On board were usually a maître (master) and six companion fishermen, one of which would serve as a salter. The shore workers for both shallops and schooners performed much the same duties. The crews usually included a maître de grave (shoremaster), a saleur (salter), a décoleur (header), and a garçon (boy). With the shoremaster in charge of overseeing the operation and ensuring that proper procedures were followed, the crew undertook the many tasks involved in the drying of cod.