MACKERELS. 137 



and copper-fastened. Great strength is requisite, 

 especially in tliose employed on the Kentish 

 coast, where the shore is rocky, and heavy shocks 

 are continually sustained, as the boats take the 

 beach. 



" It is impossible to see the rich and varied 

 shades of colour of the Mackerel in full perfec- 

 tion, except while it is actually in the water, or 

 immediately after it has been taken. Nothing 

 can be more exquisite than its formation, nothing 

 better calculated to secure ease and rapidity of 

 motion. No bulky mass to impede its natural 

 activity, not an angle to present the slightest 

 obstacle to its motion. Accordingly, the swift- 

 ness of the Mackerel is proverbial, outstripping 

 the fastest sailing ship, and even seizing the bait 

 while she is under her greatest way." 



A successful mode of capturing Mackerel is 

 called " fishing with the fleet-line," practised in 

 a sailing-boat under a smart breeze. A strong 

 thick line of twenty fathoms or more is provided, 

 and coiled on a reel. In preparing for use, care 

 is necessary to take out " the play," or twist, to 

 avoid tangling afterwards. This is effected by 

 stretching it to its utmost length, and passing 

 a rounded stick along it, one end being left free 

 to untwist. In fishing, the boat must be kept 

 in motion, more or less rapid. In order, there- 

 fore, to prevent the line from trailing along the 

 surface, a plummet is attached to its. extremity, 

 through the neck of which is passed a piece of 

 whalebone about eight inches long. The object 

 of this is twofold ; first, to prevent the whistling 

 noise of the plummet, and secondly, to determine 

 the direction of a finer line, called the snood, 



