Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Peacoat]

Does anyone know why the Kersey isn't available any longer? I it just prohibitively expensive vs demand, or has it become one of those 'lost art' things? It'd be interesting if somebody managed to resurrect it: I'd be surprised if there wasn't a market for it, albeit a niche one.

Were the longer bridge coats worn by senior officers ever Kersey, or were they a different animal altogether?

They were a different animal altogether. A bridge coat made of Kersey would have been too heavy, so a lighter material was used. To compensate for the lighter shell, a zip in liner was used. I wasn't full length, though. It only covered the torso.

I imagine the Kersey material didn't have enough demand to keep it in supply.

 

[Edward]

They were a different animal altogether. A bridge coat made of Kersey would have been too heavy, so a lighter material was used. To compensate for the lighter shell, a zip in liner was used. I wasn't full length, though. It only covered the torso.

I imagine the Kersey material didn't have enough demand to keep it in supply.

I suppose there's less requirement to stand out on deck in all weathers when you progress up the ranks too...! I believe the RN equivalent were a heavier, longer beast, though possibly not quite 32oz.

Shame the USN are phasing out the peacoat, though I expect they're about the last such force to have them now. The goretex waterproof parka type jackets that have replaced them are I'm sure very practical, but they rather lack the same elan.