Cooperage

Cooperage, on the North Sea, is that demoralising system of selling or bartering strong drink, tobacco, or other articles, to fishermen or sailors, from Dutch or other foreign vessels called copers (Ger. kaufen, Dut. kopen). They ostensibly cruise with the English fishing-fleets to sell foreign tobacco on which no duty has been paid, and what on shore would cost four shillings per pound is sold for eighteenpence. The trade began more than fifty years ago by foreign vessels from Dutch ports trading with English smacksmen in articles of clothing, which grew into the more profitable barter and sale of tobacco and spirits. An English smack, until the insurance company refused to insure her, has been known to take out £500 worth of grog and tobacco, and clear another £500 in two months in the traffic. To counteract the evils of the system, Mr E. J. Mather, in 1882, started a mission for the deep-sea fishermen, which in 1888 had at command eight mission ships, stored with good literature, woollen clothing, tobacco, and medicine, and a staff of twelve clergymen as honorary chaplains. The Customs Commissioners refused the necessary concessions for the sale of tobacco at a cheap rate in 1885, but granted the same in 1887, and now the ordinary drawings of a voyage may be £100 for tobacco. The Queen became the patron of the mission, and it is duly registered by the Board of Trade. As a result of an international conference at the Hague between the six fishing powers, a convention was signed in 1887, one of the provisions of which contemplated the absolute prohibition of the sale or barter of spirits on the North Sea. The North Sea Fisheries Bill (1888) gave effect (as far as Great Britain is concerned) to the recommendation of the convention. The sale of spirits to fishermen and others on board fishing-vessels is prohibited; fishermen are forbidden to buy spirits at sea; the exchange or barter for spirits of any article, especially the fish caught, nets, or gear of the fishing-boat, is also prohibited. Vessels trading in provisions, &c. must be licensed, and penalties from £10 to £50 are exigible for offences against the convention. See E. J. Mather's Nor'ard of the Dogger (1887).