At the turn of the 19th century, a strong wind of change blew on the seamen of Saintonge. Before the French Revolution, the maritime economy had been dominated by the big harbours and the international trade. Therefore, rural seamen were forced to leave their families behind, travel to the closest city, and join a crew before leaving for months. Sailing was a dangerous job, conducted first by seamen’s sons, who had the know-how in heritage, and then by the poorest and lowest classes of the littoral society. To survive and perhaps succeed in the career, seamen needed luck and the help of a relative or neighbour on board. After 1815, the crisis of the Atlantic economy radically changed the maritime career in Saintonge. International trade needed fewer seamen as before. It became a time for coastal trade and short fishing trips. The crews were smaller and sailors were very often from the same family, the same village, or the neighbourhood. Sailing was also a safer activity and the trips were shorter. The family was finally spared the initial risks of the job.
Les gens de mer de Saintonge, de l'Atlantique subi à l'Atlantique choisi (1760-1860)
2012
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
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