SIgn writer's stencil for a sailmaker
Date made: late 19th century
Description: Tin stencil saying. E. Cubbon, Sailmaker, Douglas.
Edward CUbbon, sailmaker of South Quay, Douglas, was advertising between 1890 and 1893. On the 1911 Census he was living and working at Ballafesson. He died at Ballafesson, Port Erin in 1944 aged 88.
Until the arrival of steam trawlers in the 20th century, Manx fishing boats were powered either by hand with oars, or more usually by wind power with canvas sails. As a result every fishing port on the Island would have had several sail lofts, where the sailmakers made and repaired the acres of sailcloth that would have been used to make by hand the sails for the Manx fishing fleet and other merchant vessels. This traditional trade disappeared as steam-driven and then diesel-powered fishing boats became more common.
Materials: Tin
Object name: Tin Stencil
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-6621