Vintage Dobrosky Photos - Jersey Sneakbox Gunning

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~


I just got a nice surprise in today's mail. Paul Dobrosky sent me 6 old snapshots of gunning along the New Jersey coast. I will ask Paul to weigh in here - and let us know the who, what, when and where of each.



The parkas are what I remember from my youth - so I'm guessing late 50s or early 60s. My Dad had the same camouflage parka - I'm betting Hodgman.


I scanned each and tried to "restore" with Picasa.



Be sure to CLICK to enlarge each one.





View attachment Dobrosky 01 - Broadbill on Garvey with dodger.jpg



The hard worker in the Sneakbox is using the "jab stick" (better name?) to hold the vessel in place whilst he sets the rig - which looks like a mix of Broadbill and Canvasback to my eye.


View attachment Dobrosky 02 CROPPED Sneakbox with jab stick.jpg



Picking up the rig. Different gunner? Different day? Nice little breeze. Sure look like it's out of the northwest - with the Baltic Blue water and rich Ochre saltmarsh.



View attachment Dobrosky 03 - Sneakbox setting divers CROPPED.jpg



That's a sweet Garvey with that house and windshield. Looks like an inboard from here. I believe he's pulled up next to a pit blind. I wonder what that little sign says.



View attachment Dobrosky 04 - Cabin Garvey CROPPED.jpg



A nice dock and launch ramp.



View attachment Dobrosky 05 - Launch ramp and docks.jpg



This gunner sports the Dead Grass Tan - rubberized "canvas" no doubt - of his time. And, he's standing in the pit blind.


View attachment Dobrosky 06 - Gunner in pit blind.jpg



I am always so glad these photos were taken - and that gunners like Paul kept them in a safe place.


All the best,


SJS

 
My goodness look at the barrel length of the gun on that last photo of the gunner in the pit. Being in inlander my whole life and not from a waterfowling family I?m always intrigued by these period photos. Thanks for sharing.
 
Brad~


I'm guessing the added barrel length is needed to compensate for the depth of the pit.....


All the best,


SJS

 
First shot-the guy in the middle with the camp raincoat is none other than Dobrosky, although MUCH younger![;)]
 
Steve

The boat launch pic brought back some old memories. The garvey on the left appears to have a 1967 vintage 20 hp Johnson for power. My dad had 1 and we used it on rental boats out here in Puget Sound, Neah Bay, LaPush. The bigger rig on the right appears to have a 40 hp Johnson of about the same age. I had the 40 on a 16 ft Skookum Dory in the early 70?s. No electric start, just ?Armstrong? to get her fired off. The motor was a challenge to get going in cold weather, and contrary to recommended procedure, I would give it a straight shot of starting fluid directly in the carb when it got cold. Never seemed to hurt the motor as long as you did notover do it.
 
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Nice photo,
I love the BBSB. Interesting to see how hunting has changed over the years. I remember the plastic coated camo coat.
and duck cotton hunting coats and rubber hip boots.
 
Your old enough than to remember how cold that " old school stuff " was than. One thing I wouldn,t change about todays waterfowling is the advancement in Hunt clothing technology. At 63 being warm & dry makes the hunt a whole lot easier than it was in my younger years!
 
Steve,
Thanks For he Pictures & write up. Its Late Tonight . Will Give You all more detail Tomorrow& Answer Some of the questions, PAUL
 
Good morning, Roy~


Yes, indeed! We got REALLY cold gunning in our youth (I'm Class of 1953). I appreciate today's fleeces and neoprene - and face-masks and neck gaiters and headlamps - but still wish I could buy a rubberized cotton "parka" (anorak, I guess) in Dead Grass Tan. I hunted the one in the photo 'til it fell apart after many seasons.



View attachment S05 SJS with Black Duck.jpg



All the best,


SJS

 
The old school camo hodgman canvas/rubber parka, jones hat and hip boots were all the rage back then.1960's. The parka would last about 2 years before it had to be replaced.
 
Hi Steve,
I reference to each Photo I found you were very observant Checking each photo. a Little History AS to the Club The name of the club was Marshelter What I would call a Millionner Of Members only, The person who invited us Owned 3 FORD DEALERSHIP, Other were Doctors, Layers, & Indian Chiefs 1st Photo 3 guys in The Garvery AN outboard Boat With Are Daily Bag. I was the guy in the middle with he Camo HODGEMEN Parka Was Me You were Right Steve, The trip Was in the Late 60s The getelman to my left WAS WALT WILSON A FULL TIME BEE KEEPER. TO my Right was ED GRINTER FULL Time carpenter, But all Avid Duck Hunters. I have to point out there was a second garvey inboard with windshield That Picked us up on the mainland. A second garvey With outboard that was at the boat house dock for the next morning hunt. With outboard type boat that would tow out a 2 sneak box with more decoys. other Because of the amount of decoys they set out, Around 75 decoys.MOST All DECOYS WERE WILDFOWLER & Some Barnagat Round Bottom Style.
2 Photo With guide Putting out decoys Using What they Call A Dager Board 8 ft. long to allow for different water depth To stick in the bottom While Setting Decoys. The dager board is in A enclosed Water Proff compartment That goes threw the deck .When not in use it Layes Alongside Back Racks & Against Inside of oar Board While in transit.
3rd Photo 2 Guide putting out decoys a Somewhat Different Style Boat, Much larger back Racks.& same dager board arrangement.

2nd Garvey with canvas around deck & outboard, Which was at the club house boat were we stayed
5 Photo, Ramp where we were pick up in Harvey Ceders On Long beach Island ,The Night Before to get to the island Shack Were We stayed.I Am Sorry I Did Not Take More Pictures. It Was all Such A Memorable Experience An A Very Enjoyable Hunt Any other Questions Contact me.
6th picture Walt Wilson standing in pit blind with holding A REMINGTON 1100 With 34 in" Barrel on shelf .A Very Good Shot. Thanks all for your comments & Steve For Starting This Artical

Paul
 
Good afternoon, Paul~


Glad to help as always! Sounds like a wonderful time - and I'm happy that you can reach back and savor such special memories.


All the best,


SJS

 
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