METHODS OF DEEP-SEA FISHERIES 295 



necessitates the three meals of the day at three in the 

 morning, at nine o'clock, and at three in the afternoon, 

 respectively. 



While on passage to the fishing grounds the seine boat * 

 is taken aboard the schooner on the port side; this is also 

 done during heavy weather when there is danger of the 

 boat careening over in the rough seas and spilling out 

 the seine, or of capsizing. On reaching the fishing grounds, 

 whether off Virginia, on George's Bank, or in the Gulf of 

 Saint Lawrence, the seine boat is put overboard and the 

 seine carefully stowed in the after part ready for im- 

 mediate use. When a body of mackerel is seen schooling 

 the lookout at masthead cries out, * ' School ! " and causes 

 the helmsman to change the course of the vessel to the 

 direction of the fish. At the cry of the lookout the crew 

 below decks rush forth with their oil clothes in hand 

 ready for instant action. The seine boat is hauled along 

 side and at a word from the captain all get aboard. The 

 captain and lookout stay on the schooner till the last mo- 

 ment watching the fish to discover in what direction they 

 are moving and at what rate. The two men who go in 

 the dory hoist it overboard, throw a bight of the painter 

 around a bitt-head, and get into their boat. They are 

 towed along by the vessel until the seine boat leaves the 

 other side of the vessel at the captain's command. Then 

 they can release their own boat by letting go the end 



i NOTE. Seine boats that are used with mackerel schooners are 

 from 35 to 38 feet in length, 7% feet in width, and 3 feet deep. Their 

 cost is from $350 to $400, besides fittings, such as oars, rowlocks, 

 purse-weights, oar cranes, davits, etc. The life of a seine boat is 

 from four to six years. Seines are made 1,000 to 1,200 meshes 

 deep and 900 yards in length, which reduces nearly one-half in 

 tarring and hanging. The mesh is 2*4 inches, and the average 

 seine is 240 fathoms long when hung. Its cost varies from $400 to 

 $900, depending upon the length and depth. A seine lasts about 

 three years. 



