Bosun Thomas Palmer Jones was "superstitious, but didn't make a thing of it". His daughter was involved in a sailing-day ritual. After Tom left the house, young Edna threw dad's slippers at the front door to "ensure that he'd come back safely to wear them again". It was the women; however, who had most taboos placed upon them when the men 'departed for the hunt'. A string of superstitions dictated what women should not do on sailing day - disobeyed, their actions could place the men in mortal danger. A woman must not: 'wash' clothes otherwise her husband would be 'washed' overboard; 'wave' him good-bye or a 'wave' would sweep him away; call out after him once he sets foot outside the front door; go down on the fish dock to see him off; step aboard a trawler; or whistle, as this would cause a storm at sea: 'A whistling woman and a crowing hen / Bring the Devil out of his den'.
After he had gone some women never emptied any ashtrays, the ash-pan or teapot until the following day. They must in no way give the impression of wishing him away - otherwise, he may never return. One woman would not move any items of her husband's discarded clothing until 24 hours had elapsed. Once 'safely' on his way to the fish dock, a man could not look or turn back. It was also unlucky to meet a clergyman. Should the departing fisherman come across a pig, that was fatal and he must go back home and not sail that day. The pig taboo was the strongest and strangest of all in that it over-rode and contradicted the powerful 'don't turn back' rule. Most skippers got a taxi down to the dock. Some believed it bad luck to carry their own sea-bag onto the ship, so the driver placed it on board. Youngsters hung around St.Andrew's Fish Dock to carry crewmen's sea-bags. They hoped for a generous tip and few were disappointed.
