In the early-modern period ports typically harboured both sailors and dockers. Dockers worked in the port on a daily basis, and especially when they had a casual job, had to show up sometimes several times a day or on short notice. They therefore typically lived near the port. Sailors could ...
(Show more)In the early-modern period ports typically harboured both sailors and dockers. Dockers worked in the port on a daily basis, and especially when they had a casual job, had to show up sometimes several times a day or on short notice. They therefore typically lived near the port. Sailors could also be recruited from farther away, but they also lived in typical sailors neighbourhoods.
The comparison of these two maritime occupations, will focus on the Netherlands in 1600-2000. The questions in the session call will be compared for the two occupations in the different phases of their development.
Economic interactions: here the long and relatively formalised labour relation in sailing will form a contrast with dock working. Dock work knew phases in which guilds were important, and when very casual work was the norm.
Social interactions: it will be discussed to what extent both groups formed a separate community, with for instance multi-generational job histories, or part of a migratory path, where work in sailing or the docks were stepping stones between rural and urban life.
Conflictual interactions: Both occupations were considered heavy and rough occupations for men that did not shy away from conflict. Differences in conflicts with employers will be discussed, as well as to some extent between groups of workers in relation to work.
Cultural interactions, in the way indicated in the call, are specific to sailors. A useful comparison with dock work does not seem feasible.
Gender interactions: Both occupations were strongly male. The role of sailors wives in running a family while the men were at sea has been researched. There is no similar element in the lives of dockers’ wives. However, both groups of women resembled each other socially, and dockers’ wives showed their agency during conflicts.
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