89 



Seventhly, there are few harbours for the accom- 

 modation and repair of steamers ; 



Eighthly, steam in boats for catching is more 

 important for trawlers than for other classes of boat 

 (drifters and liners) as they require great power to 

 drag immense nets at fair speed irrespective of wind 

 and current ; in Madras waters it is probable that 

 bottom fish, which alone the trawler can catch, are in 

 the great minority as compared with mid-water and 

 surface fish. 



As regards the sixth point it is to be remembered 

 that not only is the climate warm so that exposure in 

 good sailing boats causes little hardship, but that the 

 weather is certain in an extraordinary degree, the winds 

 and currents are well known and steady, varying 

 according to season with the greatest regularity, the 

 zones and periods of cyclonic storms are fixed and almost 

 immutable while the signs and directions of their 

 approach are well known, and the stormy monsoon 

 seasons are, roundly speaking, regular in date and 

 duration. So comparatively regular is the weather that 

 for long periods together the fisherman can count on 

 absolutely fine and equable weather, on going out with 

 a land breeze in the mornino" and returnino- with the sea 

 breeze in the evening. In a word the weather and sea 

 conditions are as different from those of Great Britain, 

 Japan, etc., as can well be imagined and are wholly 

 favourable for sailing fishing craft. 



7. Larger boats are, however, essential. — While, how- 

 ever, I see no present reason for the steamer as against 

 the sailer as a catcher, I see very strong reasons for 

 improved sailers, not indeed to replace but to supplement 

 by deep sea work the inshore catamaran or canoe. I 

 will mention briefly and broadly the present characteris- 

 tics of coast fishing. On the east coast the catamaran 

 or a variant as at Vizagapatam, is the general boat, as 

 it is readily taken through the surf, is quite unsinkable, 

 and when landed is taken apart and carried piecemeal 

 up the beach ; the masula or surf boat is solely used for 

 shore seining. The catamaran, alone, in pairs, or in 

 groups, uses various nets and lines, but is hampered by 

 its small accommodation for men, nets, lines and fish, its 

 absence of depth and capacity, its comparatively poor 

 sailing and hauling powers, and the impossibility of 



