BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 167 



S3.— THE "KURR£N" AND ''KEITEIi" (FI8IUNO-VE88EIiS) OF TITE 



COVBfiAND HAFF. 



By EK]^ST AIVCH£R. 



The priucipal need of our fishing- vessels is that they should draw very 

 little water; for the fishing-i)orts and landing-places along the entire 

 coast of Lithuania are exceedingly shallow, the water often being only 

 one foot deep, and in the northern part of the Haft' there are many 

 banks which, under certain circumstances, cannot be avoided. This 

 makes it impossible to have fish-tanks in our vessels, as these would 

 cause them to draw more water and render them useless in many places 

 along our coast. Our seine-fisheries are dependent on various local cir- 

 cumstances, which are unfortunately of such a nature as to yield almost 

 exclusively dead fish. 



The main object of all fishing- vessels is that they should be suitable 

 for cruising and for casting the net in a fresh and heavy breeze and in 

 short waves, and these conditions determine the method of building our 

 vessels. 



The bottom is not even, but rises from the mainmast to the prow (one- 

 third of the entire length) about 5 inches in a straight line. A stronger 

 rise would make sailing easier, as well as cruising in calm water or long 

 waves, but in the short waves of the Haft" it would prove an impediment. 

 Towards the stern the rise is very inconsiderable. Thereby the vessel 

 drags in the water and moves a little heavier than would otherwise be 

 the case, but as it draws but little water this proves no serious difficulty, 

 the steady movement of the vessel remedying the evil. Moreover, the 

 yawing to which all vessels which draw little water are subject is 

 avoided. Crosswise the bottom also slants a little towards the center 

 and also towards the sides. This, of course, is not favorable to sailing 

 with a fresh breeze, but it increases the strength of the vessel in a strong 

 wind. The bottom should be as broad as possible and obtuse at both 

 the stern and the prow, so as to make the vessel float in the water with 

 ease. 



The sides of the vessel are not straight ; the lowest plank bulges out 

 considerably, the second is somewhat straighter, and the third rises 

 almost perpendicularly. Thereby the side of the vessel assumes the 

 shape of a curve, on which the vessel rests when leaning over, and is 

 enabled to withstand the rolling of the waves. Towards the prow the 

 sides must be straight, so as not to cut the waves, but allow these to 

 lift the vessel easily. A vessel constructed in this manner may cruise 

 with perfect security even in the shortest waves. The vessel needs no 

 ballast, but will be safest without any. The bottom is 3 to 3 J inches thick, 

 and made of pine wood. The lower planks of the sides, made of oak 



