336 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEBfES. 



only 1^-incb mesh. The seines of 145 feet depth are about 700 meshes deep. A seine with 2-iuch 

 mesh is the standard size for the average menhaden, which is estimated at 22 cubic inches. 



The corks at the upper edge of the seine are strung on the cork-line at from 12 to 15 inches apart, 

 two corks, known in the trade as Nos. 2 and 3, being put together, and are 4 inches in diameter. 

 About 60 pounds of lead weights, each 2 ounces, are fastened along the bottom of the seine at 

 intervals of 4 inches apart at the sides and farther apart at the middle. The lower edge of the 

 seine is hung on six-thread manila line, and to this are attached the bridles, which are about 18 

 feet long and placed 18 feet apart. Upon each of these bridles slides one of the purse-rings, made 

 of iron or brass, weighing 1J to 2 pounds and about 3J inches in diameter. Many of the seines 

 have less weight than that given above. In operating the seine a large, heavy weight, called 

 purse- weight or "Long-Tom," is used, which is placed upon the vertical ropes at the end of the 

 seine, by the use of snatch-blocks, and allowed to run down to the bottom of these ropes, thus 

 holding together the ends of the lead-line before the pursing begins. 



The purse-lines are arranged to pass obliquely from the last purse-rings which are about 6 feet 

 from the lead-line. This has the effect of leaving large triangular flaps of netting at the end and 

 closing the opening of the seine when it is pursed. The twine is of cotton, No. 20 to No. 12 thread, 

 except the middle or "bunt" of the seine, which is of stronger twine, No. 14 to No. 9 thread, to 

 prevent the escape of the fish when they are crowded into a small compass. The twine is pre- 

 vented from rotting by being tarred after the seine is knit and is preserved during the fishing 

 season by sprinkling salt over it after each haul. The number of menhaden purse-seines in use in 

 1880 was 366, valued at $138,400. 



THE SEINE-BOATS. The seine-boats were formerly square-sterned, lap-streak boats, about 28 

 feet in length, and resembling in shape an ordinary ship's yawl ; but the boats now in use resemble 

 the whale-boat in shape, differing from it, however, in some important particulars. According to 

 Mr. Gifford, a practical seine-boat builder of Gloucester, the seine-boat must have three qualities : 

 (1) It should tow well; consequently it is made sharpest forward ; a whale-boat, on the other hand, 

 is sharpest aft, to facilitate backing after the whale has been struck. (2) It should row well, and 

 this quality also is obtained by the sharp bow; the whale-boat also should row well, but in this 

 case it has been found desirable to sacrifice speed in part to the additional safety obtained by 

 having the stern sharper than the bow. (3) It should be stiff or steady in the water, since the 

 operation of shooting the seine necessitates much moving about in the boat. 



The average length of the seine-boat is about 34 feet, its width 7 feet 5 inches, and its depth 

 amidships 33 inches. At the stern is a platform measuring about 4 feet, fore and aft, on which 

 the captain stands to steer. This is 6 to 8 inches below the gunwale. Another platform extends 

 the whole length of the boat's bottom, from the after part of which the seine is set. In the bow is 

 still another platform, on which stands the man who hauls the cork-line. There are four thwarts 

 or seats, a large space being left clear behind the middle of the boat for the stowage of the seines. 

 Upon the starboard side of the boat, near the middle, is arranged an upright iron support, about 

 IS inches in height, to which are attached two iron snatch-blocks, used in the working of the purse- 

 ropes. On the opposite side of the boat, generally near the bow and stern, but with position varied 

 according to the fancies of the fishermen, are fixed in the gunwale two staples, to which are attached 

 other snatch- blocks used to secure additional purchase upon the purse-ropes. In the center of the 

 platform at the stern of the boat is placed a large wooden pump, used to draw out the water which 

 accumulates in large quantities during the hauling of the seine. 



Most of the steamers carry four seine-boats, two being used in setting the seine, one called 

 the purse-boat and the other the mate-boat. 



