OFFICERS OF VESSELS; DISCIPLINE OF THE CREW; NAVIGATION. 103 



by the skipper; the extra compasses for use in the dories, as has already been mentioned, being 

 supplied by different members of the crew. 



When a chronometer is used, it is ordinarily hired by the skipper, the crew paying half and 

 the vessel half. It is insured by its owner, and the cost of insurance charged in the rent, so that 

 if it is lost with the vessel there is no demand for restoration upon those who hired it. 



Previous to 1865 few fishing vessels carried a log of any description. Occasionally an old-style 

 " chip-log" was seeu on board, but as a rule fishermen estimated their speed by noting alongside, 

 how fast the vessel passed through the water — a somewhat unique method of keeping "dead 

 reckoning." It may seem remarkable that anything like accuracy could have been thus attained, 

 but we are assured that many of the, old fishermen became exceedingly expert in judging a vessel's 

 speed, and with their knowledge of local currents and the frequent use of the sounding-lead they 

 seldom failed to make good "laud-falls." 



Some form of patent "harpoon" log is now most commonly used, since these are less expensive 

 than the patent taffrail logs. The liability of the former to injury in shallow water or to loss through 

 sharks biting off the tow-line has of late led to the more general use of the taffrail logs, which are 

 considered the most reliable. 



Use of nautical instruments. — The manner in which the masters of fishing vessels learn 

 the art of navigation is discussed in another chapter. It is sufficient to remark here that those 

 in charge of the vessels belonging to the Gloucester offshore fleet are frequently very competent 

 navigators, others, though they may have sufficient knowledge to sail a vessel back and forth, are 

 really not so competent as they should be. 



The skippers of mackerel schooners and other vessels which are usually in sight of land have 

 less use for instruments, and rarely, if ever, take observations. 



Much of the success of the fishermen, in bringing their vessels into harbor without accident, 

 is due to their habit of taking frequent soundings, and to their intimate knowledge of the shape 

 and character of the bottom along those portions of the coast which they chiefly frequent. 



