[a. Fl. and Du. kooper, Fris. and LG. kôper, purchaser, trader dealer, f. koopen to buy, deal, trade = G. kaufen, Eng. CHEAP v.
Usually spelt cooper in the newspapers 1881–84, but pronounced coper by the fishermen, and so spelt in the publications of the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. In the memory of old smacksmen of Grimsby (as stated by Mr. J. F. Wintringham) the name goes back to 1854, when Flemish and Dutch koopers first began to frequent the fleets.]
A vessel fitted out to supply ardent spirits, etc., usually in exchange for fish to the deep-sea fishers in the North Sea; a floating grog-shop.
The practice began in a comparatively innocent barter trade carried on by Dutch boats visiting the fishing fleets, when the latter fished in close to the land, off Camperdown and the Texel; but it led to the fitting out of ‘floating grog-shops’ to attend each fleet. Public attention was called to the demoralizing nature of the traffic in 1881, and it formed the subject of a convention between the British, German and Dutch governments in 1882, for the carrying out of which an Act of Parliament was passed in 1888.
1881. Conference at the Hague, Sitting 8 Oct. (Blue Bk., Commerc., No. 24, 1882). The traffic carried on … by those [boats] known as ‘coopers’ or ‘bum-boats.’
1882. Standard, 28 Dec., 5/3. The Hollanders are doubtless the chief offenders; but ‘coopers’ are also familiar in ports nearer home.
1884. Rep. on N. S. Fisheries, in Blue Bk., Commerc., No. 5 (1888), 12. The ‘coopers’ or floating grog-shops chiefly hail from German and Dutch ports…. They trade in tobacco and spirits of vile quality … and latterly in immoral and obscene cards and photographs.
1887. E. J. Mather, Nor’ard of Dogger, iii. 28. These Dutch copers ostensibly cruised with the English fleets for the purpose of selling tobacco.
1890. Spectator, 27 Sept., 414. The ‘coper,’ or grog-ship, has been banished.
