66 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



apd ranged from 23 to 36 tons N.M. They were built 

 with the principal object of living through anything, 

 and rarely failed to make good weather of it at all 

 times. Many of these strong well-built vessels are still 

 at work, and would be likely to hold their own for 

 many more years, were it not that sea-going qualities 

 are not the only ones required at the present day. 

 Now, the greater demand for fish and the increased 

 number of smacks have led to more competition among 

 the fishermen, and time has become more valuable ; for 

 the first boats in are likely to get the best price for 

 their fish. Most of the modern trawl-vessels are of a 

 large size, running up to 70 tons N.M., and are fine 

 powerful craft of upwards of 60 feet keel and good 

 beam. They are, as formerly, built high at the bow 

 and with plenty of sheer, making them easy and com- 

 fortable sea boats ; and whilst their increase in size 

 enables them to use longer trawl-beams and larger nets, 

 . the general improvement in the knowledge of ship- 

 building has led to the adoption of easier lines in their 

 construction, resulting in the much better sailing quali- 

 ties which are now required to meet the demands of the 

 trade. The quick delivery of the fish is every day 

 becoming a more important object, as the demand for it 

 increases all over the country; and the smacks may 

 daily be seen racing back to the great trawling stations 

 to land their fish, each one endeavouring, often with 

 the help of balloon canvas, to bring her catch early to 

 market, where the buyers are waiting with orders to 

 purchase for all parts of the country. 



The vessels regularly employed in trawling are, as 

 we have said, called " smacks," a term which appears to 

 have been long applied to fishing boats rigged as sloops 

 or cutters. In these smacks the mast is stepped well 



