34 



that is to say, much larger nets and more seaworthy boats and 

 to go further to sea." But whilst among those who have 

 studied the subject a consensus of opinion exists that the 

 introduction of larger boats with the ability to employ nets 

 of greater dimensions than those now in use is necessary if 

 there is to be any considerable increase in the prosperity of 

 our fisheries, there has been some divergence as to the practi- 

 cability of employing such boats, at least upon the East Coast. 

 Mr, Sullivan Thomas pointed out the lack of any harbour 

 of refuge on the Madras coast line to which fishing boats 

 might run for shelter in a storm, and the special danger 

 from cyclones to which a fishing fleet would be exposed in 

 consequence of this deficiency. 



4. To gain reliable data to enable this doubt to be resolved 

 prior to taking final steps to settle the type of fishing craft 

 most likely to prove suitable for the peculiar local conditions 

 which have to be faced, Sir F. A. Nicholson deputed me 

 recently to make an examination of the shore line both on the 

 East and "West Coasts of this Presidency. Up to the present 

 date I have completed a survey of the coast extending over 

 practically the whole sea-front of South Canara and Malabar 

 on the west side, while on the east I have visited all points aud 

 ports of importance between Cape Comorin and Pamban, and 

 from Point Calimere to the Penneru river, 90 nautical miles 

 north of Madras. I shall try to state the essential facts and 

 conclusions brought out by the enquiry as succinctly as 

 possible, but giving such details of the various ports and 

 estuaries as may be of permanent value for reference purposes. 



5. Varying physical characters in the coast line have 

 necessitated corresponding divergence in the types of fishing 

 craft hitherto employed. Four distinct coast sections are 

 linked with four such types of fishing craft in the districts 

 I have examined, two being of major and two of minor 

 importance. These coast sections may be distinguished respec- 

 tively as — 



(a) The catamaran coast, 



(b) The dhoney coast, 



(c) The boat-catamaran coast, 



(d) The canoe coast. 



6. (a) The Catamaran coast— Wherever heavy surf breaks 

 on a long stretch of open coast unbroken by any shelter-giving 

 headlands, the form and handling of the catamaran have been 

 brought well nigh to perfection. In the effective simplicity 

 of its design, in the safety with which it can be launched and 



