OUR SEA FISHERIES. 191 



and curing fish, and could bring alive in her well 

 2,000 cod-fish. 



" When Government aid and protection were given 

 to our Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, we had 

 vessels of 250 to 400 tons working throughout four 

 months of the year on the great banks, in dense fogs, 

 and a perpetual and heavy swell. These employed a 

 large number of seamen — they remained at anchor on 

 the banks, veering out 120 fathoms of cable, and some- 

 times in heavy weather having 200 fathoms of cable 

 on end. In gales they weighed and hove-to. Since 

 the withdrawal of all encouragement, the trade is 

 principally carried on, in the in-shore fisheries, by 

 boats of from nine to fifteen tons. The encouragement 

 given by the French Government of several millions 

 of francs a year to the Newfoundland fishery, enable 

 the French to keep on the banks vessels of 300 tons, 

 manned by at least forty men in each, and found with 

 seven to nine heavy anchors, and upwards of 800 

 fathoms of hemp cables. These vessels have each four 

 to five large boats, that can stand heavy weather, lines 

 that cover a great extent of ground, and numerous nets 

 and fishing tackle ; 17,000 to 20,000 of these men re- 

 turn to France every winter, and are ready to serve the 

 imperial marine. The bounties given by France are not 

 for the advancement of trade, but to create a navy ! 



