56 



DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



This is effected by two iron frames placed one at each 

 end of the beam, and called " trawl-heads " or " head- 

 irons" (Fig. 1 h, b, Fig. 2). Each end of the beam 

 is fixed at right angles into a socket or "joggle" 

 (Fig. 2 c), either above or below the upper part of the 

 head-iron, the shape of which varies within certain 

 limits on different parts of the coast, or in the several 

 countries whence trawling is carried on. 



Fig. 2 represents the form in use by the Brixham 

 trawlers, and the one largely adopted on our coasts. 

 It is of wrought iron, and the lower part or "shoe," 

 which works over the ground, and is consequently 

 exposed to a great deal of wear, is made of extra 

 thickness. The weight of the two irons ranges on 

 different parts of the coast from 230 lbs. to 360 lbs., 

 and varies generally with the size of the net and beam 

 as they do with the size of the vessel ; but in some 

 parts of the North Sea where the tides are very strong, 

 moderate-sized trawls require a great deal of weight in 

 the head-irons to keep them on the ground. It is not 

 to the interest of the fisherman, however, to weight his 

 trawl-beam more than enough to keep his gear at 



Tbawl-heads. 



the bottom under the ordinary conditions of working. 

 The stirrup-shaped Barkiaig pattern (A) is peculiar, 



