Working up junk

[Don Case]

I'm reading a log from Vancouver's trip to the West Coast in the Discovery1789. They quite often refer to, "men in the hold 'working up junk'. " Any ideas on what they are doing

 

[fourseas]

I cheated, looked it up in nautical terms. I believe it was pulling apart old sections of rope to make oakum for the seal on decks.
Jim

 

[Don Case]

Thanks. I did a long Google search and got nothing. Where is this "nautical terms"

 

[Zzyzx01]

A list of nautical terms in Wikipedia sorted alphabetically. Click on the letter "J" for junk.

Glossary of nautical terms (A–L) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

...henry

 

[fourseas]

Also, on the Wikipedia site of nautical terms look up the term "working up" under the W. It is rather interesting.

 

[pebbleworm]

That was a task for anyone going into a workhouse in Britain too. Spend your day "picking oakum" for what passed for a hot and a cot. Many more details and an interesting read at:

London Labour and the London Poor - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Despite all the current chest thumping and pearl clutching, cities had many of the same problems 180 years ago that they have now.

 

[Thomas]

I cheated, looked it up in nautical terms. I believe it was pulling apart old sections of rope to make oakum for the seal on decks.
Jim

Sounds like a really fun job! I'm going to use that term regularly!