The Apprentices and the Boys

he apprentices, who were 18 to 30 years of age, and the boys, who were 14 to 20, assisted the fishermen.

In the green fishery, they helped handle, prepare and salt the cod. In the dry fishery, there was an apprentice in each shallop, along with two experienced fishermen. After a period of two weeks, they were performing fairly well, and could prepare the bait and provide adequate assistance to the fishermen.

On land, the boys worked on the stage, at the wash cage, on the beach or at the flakes. They carried, stacked and turned the cod that was to be dried. In good weather, they laid out the cod one by one on the beach or the flakes. Around noon, they turned the fish, placing it skin side up. The boys repeated this for several days until the cod was properly dried.