The Dunkirk fishermen used doggers and from 1835 mostly schooners. These were 20 to 30 metres long and had the qualities needed for that type of fishing:
- they were strong and could resist violent storms
- they were fast
- there was a lot of space on the deck for fish handling
- they had storage space for the fish and supplies
- their rigging was simple to work.
The schooner La Comète. Port Museum Collection.