TRAWLING. 55 



craft for inshore work the length is very much less. 

 The beam is usually made of elm, but sometimes of ash 

 or beech, the timber selected being such as can be found 

 naturally grown of the proper thickness; but as it is 

 difficult to meet with a straight ^^iece of sufficient 

 length and size for an ordinary large trawl-beam, two 

 or more pieces are usually scarved together, and the 

 joints firmly secured by iron bands. The whole is 

 roughly trimmed, and the strength of the timber is not 

 impaired by more chipping and finishing than neces- 

 sary. The length of the beam for each vessel is mainly 

 determined by the distance between the taffrail and the 

 after shroud, convenience and security both making it 

 desirable to carry the beam, when not in use, hoisted up 

 alongside, with one end projecting just beyond the stern 

 of the vessel, where it is made fast by a special rope or 

 chain, and the other coming in front of the after shroud 

 or shrouds. The advantage of this arrangement is 

 obvious, as it is generally the case that the beam has to 

 be hoisted up whilst the vessel is rolling and pitching 

 about in a seaway. The after end of the beam is first 

 got into its place, and the fore part is then hoisted up 

 until level with the top of the bulwark, over which and 

 between two of the shrouds the iron head at the end of 

 the beam finds a snug berth, and all danger of the 

 heavy and somewhat unmanageable spar swinging on 

 board as the vessel lurches is avoided. It would be 

 often difficult to prevent this if the beam were not 

 long enough to overlap the after shrouds. 



Head-irons. — The object or use of the beam is to 

 extend the mouth of the net ; but in order to keep the 

 mouth open so as to allow the fish to enter, it is further 

 necessary to raise the beam, and with it the back of the 

 net fastened to it, a certain distance from the ground. 



