SAILOR FISHERMEN OF NEW ENGLAND. 59 



countries essentially modified, witbiD the past century, the general form of their fishing boats and 

 the appliances which belong to them. Exception should be made, perhaps, with reference to the 

 introduction of ketch-rigged cutters and steamers into the fisheries of Northern Europe, remarkable 

 progress having been made, especially by Great Britain, Germany, and Holland, during the past 

 twenty-five years in the adoption of fleeter and more manageable vessels for the herring, cod, aud 

 beam-trawl fisheries. The numerous labor-saving appliances, which may be found on board of the 

 American fishing vessels and fishing boats, are, for the most part, peculiar to the United States. 



At the International Fishery Exhibition at Berlin, the contrast between the appliances of this 

 kind in the European and American exhibits was very noteworthy and was the subject of constant 

 remark among the European fishermen who visited the American section. The demand for the 

 speedy adoption of so many appliances iu the rigging of vessels aud boats may be fairly accounted 

 for by the fact that our fishermen feel the necessity of every aid that can be rendered them in the 

 trying circumstances to which they are so often exposed. It should also be mentioned that the 

 necessity, which is especially felt by our fishermen, of attaining great speed for their fishing vessels, 

 has led to the development of a high grade of seamanship, and has led also to the adoption of 

 many labor-saving appliances, by the aid of which more sails and larger sails can be managed with 

 ease and rapidity by ordinary crews. 



There can be no question that seamanship of a very high type is found among the fishermen. 

 While many methods are common to the fishing fleet and to the merchant fleet, the fishing vessels 

 are often obliged to execute maneuvers which would be impossible to the heavier vessels in the 

 merchant marine. 



The fishing vessels are smaller, sharper, and carry sails which are larger in proportion to the 

 size of their hulls. They are, therefore, swifter, and, as the fishermen express it, "handier." 

 Relying upon the speed and " handiness" of his vessel, the fisherman takes greater risks in running 

 for harbors in heavy weather and is consequently frequently exposed to emergencies which put to 

 the utmost test his own seamanship aud the stanchness aud manageability of his vessel. 



Many of the most skillful masters of merchant vessels have been trained in the fishing school ; 

 and during the late war between the States it was not unusual for fishermen to enter the Navy and 

 to rise to responsible positions. 



As might naturally be expected, the fishermen are courageous almost to a fault, both iu the 

 performance of ordinary duties aud in rescuing men or vessels in peril. Some of the rescues 

 accomplished by them will be mentioned in the chapter on public services. 



"Theirs is a life of toil," writes Mr. Procter, "and although fortune smiles upon them occasion- 

 ally and sends a good school of fish, yet they spend hours aud hours at the rail, iu the bitter cold 

 of winter, waiting for a bite — 'grubbing,' as it is termed — with a family at home, whom they love 

 as well as any one loves his own; aud the bread of this family depending upon the catch of fish. 

 Oftentimes these fathers will lie awake at night iu their berths, tossed up aud down by the waves 

 of Georges, each hoping that he may do well this trip for the sake of his loved ones who are in need 

 of many things for their comfort. This is uo fancy picture, but the earnest facts in the lives of the 

 married fishermen, who cannot stay at home iu winter, because there is bread to wiu, and they must 

 win it. Theirs is no holiday existence, but a continued grappling with the elements, a struggle for 

 life, with storm and old ocean in its auger to meet; and with pluck and daring they wring success 

 from the very verge of the grave." 



