craft¹ n OED ~ sb¹ 10 (1688-1704 quots). Fishing paraphernalia used in the sea-fisheries; GEAR; also attrib.
   [1736-39] 1954 INNIS 148 Craft, Cloathing, Provisions, Sail Cloth, Cordage, Ironwork, and other fishing Utensils necessary for fitting out the Fishing Boats. [1775] 1792 CARTWRIGHT ii, 121 The sealers were mending their nets, and cutting killick-claws... I selected a net, to have under my own management, and mended it... The sealers worked on their craft. [c1780] 1966 Evening Telegram 14 Nov, p. 6 'Craft house' was a store on a fishing room for storing [fishing equipment exclusive of boats and vessels]. 1792 CARTWRIGHT Gloss i, x ~ A fisherman's term, signifying the whole of the implements they use; such as nets, hooks, lines, etc. 1792 PULLING MS Aug Mr Clark also told me as did all the principal people who reside at Fogo that I conversed with on the subject, that scarce a year passes that they don't lose more or less of their fishing craft [by theft to the Beothuks]. 1813 Gazette 4 Nov For Sale, on moderate terms, Fishing Craft of every description. 1839 TUCKER 82-3 An old fisherman perceiving the awkward manner in which I was proceeding [to tie on my hooks] told me the 'cod would laugh at such a craft as I was fixing.' I threw it aside ... and told him ... that if they wanted me to work, they must fix me out with a craft. I was told, however, that it was the duty of each one to provide his own fishing gear. P 245-82 We used to get our craft for the Labrador [fishery] at Earle's in Carbonear.

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