Much of the coal raised in Nova Scotia prior to the turn of the century was destined for burning outside the Maritime region. Carried initially aboard a wide variety of sailing ships, eventually the coal was transported to QuÄbec by a fleet of specially constructed "colliers". An important component of the price of coal was the cost of moving the material from the pithead to tidewater via local railroads, and loading it on waiting ships. Coal trimmers ensured that the cargo was properly distributed in the ships' holds. Coal was an awkward cargo, subject to shifting during heavy weather.
The crew in this photograph were known as the "Caledonia Trimmers", the special pride of Senator David MacKeen, proprietor of the Caledonia Coal Company of Old Glace Bay and later general manager of the Dominion Coal Company. A typical cross section of the coal towns, most of the men were native Cape Bretoners, but there was also a Scotsman, an Irishman and an Englishman. This and similar crews loaded vessels throughout the late nineteenth century, prior to the adoption of more automated procedures. The terms of work for trimmers were somewhat exceptional. Unlike the miners who operated on a contract or datal basis, these men were normally contracted as a team for an entire shipping season. The men themselves decided on the distribution of the wages over the season.
