I have a recording by Burl Ives. He sang Duffer. Isn't that a term also used to describe a golfer who doesn't play well?
I've heard that many times as a boy, someone talking about an old man, "He's an old Duffer."

Tarpaulin jacket tells me the man is a sailor. "Wrap me up in me tarpaulin jacket and say a poor Duffers laid low, get six salty seamen to carry me with steps mournful, solemn and slow.

Then let them send for two Holy Stones, place them at my head and my toe, and on them write this inscription, "Here lies a poor Duffer below."
And send for six jolly foretopmen and let them all staggering go, etc...
"Holy stones" were used to scrub the decks of sailing ships.