Editorial note — Chapter I · A WAIF OF THE SEA.
Reading edition
A. High-line. The man who catches the most fish on a trip, or the vessel that brings in the heaviest fare of the season.
B. A hundred pounds weight.
C. A fathom is six feet.
D. Gaffs are iron hooks securely fastened to strong wooden handles four or five feet long.
E. A fishing dory has a wooden plug in its bottom near the after end that can be drawn so as to allow water to run out. To the lower end of this, extending forward along the boat’s bottom to an iron ring, is often fastened a life-line for use in case of a capsize.
F. As a rule, the Gloucester fishing skippers pride themselves upon never allowing any liquor to be carried to sea aboard their vessels.
G. Camboose or caboose. Both are used in referring to a ship’s galley, or place for cooking. Caboose is, however, the more common expression.
H. Fletch, a corruption of flench, or flense, meaning to strip off in layers. A fletched halibut is one from which the meat is cut off in strips and salted, to be afterwards smoked.