Fisherman’s Gansey

Manx Museum Accession Number - 1954-3757

The earliest fishermen’s ganseys would have been home produced, and dyed with indigo but in later years they would have been purchased from chandlers and other fishermen’s suppliers. It was said that the patterns on the early ganseys acted as an aid to identification if a boat was wrecked. The thick woollen pullovers were essential for men working at sea often in the foulest of weathers, and were often patched and repatched as sleeves and cuffs wore out.

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