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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: pinevista on Wednesday 26 December 12 15:09 GMT (UK)

Title: Sail maker and Electrician
Post by: pinevista on Wednesday 26 December 12 15:09 GMT (UK)
My great grandfather was a sail maker in the Battersea area. Does anyone know anything about this trade?

My grandfather was in the Royal Field Artillery and served during the war. After the war he was an electrician and belonged to the union. I would like to find out when he joined the union as well as any internship he experienced in order to become an electrician. I attached a recommendation he received from the union prior to his immigration to the US.
Title: Re: Sail maker and Electrician
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 26 December 12 16:19 GMT (UK)
You could Google Sailmaker  to see a number of entries and images.

Stan

Title: Re: Sail maker and Electrician
Post by: pinevista on Thursday 27 December 12 01:07 GMT (UK)
This I've done but what was it like in the 1800's.
Title: Re: Sail maker and Electrician
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 27 December 12 08:43 GMT (UK)
You may find this interesting; http://youtu.be/429_sw4tc4k
Title: Re: Sail maker and Electrician
Post by: stanmapstone on Thursday 27 December 12 08:43 GMT (UK)
Apart from the introduction of mechanisation, i.e. sewing machines,  I don't expect the basic process has changed much. There is a Google Book "A Day in the Life of a Colonial Sailmaker" although you can't see the whole book, it has some interesting extracts. Also there are other books, do an advanced search for "Limited preview and full view" books. 
Stan