The following information was taken from The Coast Guard Newspaper, Tuesday, June 17, 1997 issue.

Words to Preview

linseed oil - linseed is the seed that comes from the flax plant, and linseed oil is the oil that comes from linseed
flammable - something that can catch fire easily
heritage - an area's or group's history that is worth saving
wholesalers - businesses that sell large amounts of things to other businesses, that in turn sell them at higher prices (retail)
rubberized - something that is coated with rubber

IN THE DAYS BEFORE HELLY HANSEN®

Imagine this: you're aboard the boat and it starts to rain. But you still have 25 more lobster pots to check before you can head for shore. As you slip into your oil clothes, you probably don't even think about how light they are, or how dry they keep you. Unless they get tom, they're always there for you, hanging on the hook where you left them.

There was a time, not so many years ago, when fishermen didn't have it this easy. Up until about the 1930's, the only way of keeping dry was to wear heavy, smelly jackets and pants called oilskins. And they were really just that: raw, heavy cotton clothes soaked in linseed oil. They did keep the water out, but they had to be re-oiled often. They froze in very cold weather, and they were very flammable. Many fires started because oilskins were hung too close to a burning lamp or candle.


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