Before a Failing Breeze: Sailing Labor in the Final Years of Sail on the Great Lakes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25071/2561-5467.957Keywords:
Great Lakes, maritime labor unions, Seaman's Union, sail commerceAbstract
Sailing commerce on the Great Lakes underwent a protracted decline between the mid-1870s and its ultimate disappearance in 1931. In its final half-century, the pressures of economic marginalization, falling profit margins, novel marine technologies, and the emergence of distinct steam and sail maritime labor sectors all resulted in a radical redefinition and changes to nearly all aspects of the sailor’s experience. This paper will explain how the experience and occupation of the seaman changed in response to these pressures.
Le commerce de la voile sur les Grands Lacs a connu un ralentissement prolongé du milieu des années 1870 à sa disparition définitive en 1931. Au cours de son dernier demi-siècle, les pressions exercées par la marginalization économique, la baisse des marges bénéficiaires, les Nouvelles technologies marines et l’apparition de secteurs distincts de la main-d’oeuvre maritime à vapeur et à voile ont provoqué une redéfinition fondamentale et des changements dans presque tous les aspects de l’expérience des marins. Cet article explique comment l’expérience et la profession des marins ont évolué en réaction à ces pressions.
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