20 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



increase in the supply of fish, and that the sea fisheries 

 have not been going to ruin, as many people for several 

 years jDast have believed to be the case, than the fact 

 that although a great part of the fish now sent into the 

 country is forwarded direct from the coast, instead of, 

 as formerly, first coming to London, the business at 

 Billingsgate has so completely outgrown the capacity 

 of the market that the enlargement of the building is 

 now being carried out by the Corporation. 



Columbia Market was constructed partly with the 

 view of relieving the pressure at Billingsgate, but it 

 does not appear to be in favour. The situation con- 

 trasts unfavourably with that of the old market in being 

 so far from the Thames, so that water-carriage would 

 not be available for bringing in the fish ; it would be 

 entirely dependent on the railways, and the salesmen 

 at Billingsgate have before now found the advantage 

 of possessing other means of conveyance when railway 

 rates have been advanced. Steam - vessels are now 

 coming into regular use as fish carriers, and will pro- 

 bably, to a great extent, supersede the sailing cutters, 

 which have been hitherto generally employed for that 

 purpose. 



The evidence of an increased supply of fish to the 

 market afforded by the number and character of the 

 fisliing craft now in use also appears to be unmistak- 

 able. The actual increase in the number of boats within 

 any definite period cannot be ascertained, as it is only 

 since 1860 that the registration of all classes has been 

 attempted, and the difficulties in carrying out that por- 

 tion of the Sea Fisheries Act, 1868, have not yet been 

 so far overcome as to ensure very accurate returns. We 

 shall have occasion to discuss the subject more in detail 

 when we notice the various fishing stations aroimd the 



