Welsh Wig or the Thrum

A very good friend of mine recently knitted up me a "welsh wig" or a "Thrum Cap"...with undyed, un prosessed wool. the object of the Caps were to use the "left overs" of yarn(hence the ends sticking out). it was made tooo big then boiled down in hot water to shrink it...this process therfore making it nearly watterproof and a snug fit....as well as quite dapper.

My brother just recently informed me that in the production book of the "Master and Commander"...it stated that the Movie was the first time the "thrum cap" appearred on any Movie scene, and as a historical footnote, was usually only worn by the ships carpenter so as to be easily identified on board.

well to be honest this is the first i had ever heard of this practice....being quite warm for those northern seas, and the fact that many of these have been found let alone the numerous woodcuts....which not nary a one says anything about a ships carpenter...seaman yes...but only for the carpenter???......i will be still looking this one up but i believe this info to be dubious at best.