Plasoyer

[Spritsail]

In Ipswich's Halifax Dock on 7th April 1861 was berthed "Rifleman", a vessel of 7 tons. She was registered in London; her master was James Oakley with mate Richard Barker (22) and lad Henry Cole (16) both from Wivenhoe, Essex.
The Rifleman was described as a "Plasoyer". Does anyone know the term?

[Alan Welsford]

Well I expect you have tried, but "Google" doesn't know of it.

If Google doesn't know it, as Google seems to give hits on most things, it has probably been mispelt, whatever it is !

Alan

[Mutley]

I cannot find any reference to a Plasoyer either.
She was only a little boat maybe something to do with fishing?

Could be worth trying the
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.3281

[Geoffers]

I wonder if the entry actually reads 'Plawyer' as in the verb 'to ply'? - which in the 19th century was understood to mean carrying cargo or passengers on short trips. Maybe the spelling is an indication of the local dialect?

At seven tons, this was not a large vessel - does the record indicate that it was used inland? Perhaps plying around the harbour?

[Mutley]

Ahoy Spritsail ;)

7th April 1861 was census night, is this where you found them? I cannot see them in the 1861. Do you have the reference so we could have a look?

I've also googled for Ipswich's Halifax Dock and cannot find that either.

Don't feel as if we are being very helpful here not being able to find 3 out of 3...
Sorry |doh|

[suedent]

RG9; Piece: 1164; Folio: 200 Sched 1

Looking at it it could well be Plawyer, it's not the best handwriting, there is also an annotation "inland"

[Alan Welsford]

Well three of us have taken a look here, and all agree it looks more like 'Plasoyer' than anything else.

I don't think it can be, though :o

Hard to see why it's marked "inland" if it's home base is London, but it's in Ipswich!

7 Tons is a tiny vessel, though, whatever it is.

[Spritsail]

Many thanks for your efforts. Sorry I didn't participate in the discussion but was out for the evening. I agree 7 tons is a fishing smack size, compared to a sailing barge's 35 - 60 tons registered.

[Mutley]

Now four of us - courtesy of Jan1954, who found the reference (she does wonderful background work).
RG9/1164/200/1
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r297/MutleyBG/theRifleman.jpg

Let us see what others think?

[Peter_uk_can]

Maybe a "Plaiser" or "Plaicer" a small vessel designed for catching Plaice.

If one didn't know....... how would you spell it in broad suffolkese.

[Spritsail]

Thank you Peter. That is an explanation I like!