14 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



KHOAL WATER. 



DEEP WATER. 



These methods of setting trawls "try the ground," and it often happens that a good catch is 

 obtained on one or more of them, while only a few fish are taken on the 

 others. In that case, the next time all of the trawls are set for the 



1" spot," in parallel lines as shown by the figure. 

 If the "spot" is sufficiently large, and there is a favorable opportu- 

 nity to set the gear, it generally happens that good fishing is obtained 

 on all or nearly all of the trawls, though in some cases the ground 

 occupied by the halibut is so small that it is very difficult to set all the 

 apparatus fairly upon it. 

 It frequently happens that when a vessel has just arrived on the 

 bank, or is about to try for fish on a part of the ground where the re- 

 sults to be obtained are doubtful, a ''flying set," or "set under sail," is made. This method of 

 setting, which obviates the necessity of anchoring, may be described as follows: As the dories 

 sit nested on deck, when under way, the trawls, buoys, and anchors are all put in the. top boats, 

 that being the most convenient place for them, as they are oft' from the deck and out of the way. 

 As the vessel nears the place where the skipper intends to set under sail, he shouts the order, 

 "Get the top dories ready." This sets all hands on the alert, especially the crews of the top 

 dories, who quickly take the surplus buoys and anchors out of their boats, and, having rigged 

 their "black ball" and arranged their buoy-line for running, they hook on the tackles and hoist 

 the top dories out over the rail, letting them hang on the tackles with the bow and stern made fast 

 and their bottoms just below the top of the vessel's rail. They are generally left hanging in this 

 way until the middle dories are ready, when, if the vessel is quite near the ground, they are 

 dropped into the water (the vessel being luffed to, to deaden her way, if there be a fresh breeze), 

 and as they drop aft on the quarter they are held there for a few minutes while one man jumps 

 into each dory and another hands him the trawls. When haddock fishing, the trawls are usually 

 put in the dories before the latter are hoisted out (when setting under sail), but halibut-gear is so 

 heavy when baited that it is rarely if ever put in the boats until after they are in the water. As 

 soon as the trawls are in, the other man jumps in and the dory is dropped astern, the painter being 

 made fast to the davit. Meanwhile the middle or second dories have been hoisted out, and while 

 the men are getting their gear in, the two bottom dories are being made ready to hoist out. 

 'These two last are usually left hanging on the tackles until some of the others have begun to set. 

 When the proper time arrives, and the dories are ready, the skipper shouts to one of the men in 



