DPJFT-NET FISHING. 105 



12 feet higli, fitting into a case of hard wood at the 

 deck; this npriglit is called the " mitch-board " (pro- 

 bahly a corruption of " midship-board," from its posi- 

 tion), and the top of it forms a crutch for the mast to 

 rest upon when lowered. By this arrangement the 

 advantage of a lowered mast is obtained without in- 

 terfering with the deck room required when the nets 

 are being hauled in. The arm of the crutch on the 

 port side was made longer than the other, and befoi'e 

 1868 was used as a standard on which a lantern was 

 fixed when the vessel was engaged in fishing. The 

 Yarmouth boats now carry the two regulation "driving" 

 lights on the mizen-stay. 



On the quarters of the vessel the oars or sweeps are 

 secured in iron frames, called " lumber-irons," out of 

 the way, till they happen to be wanted. 



The internal fittings are in accordance with the re- 

 quirements of the work to be done, and the hold is 

 divided into compartments for the fish, nets, warp, &g. 

 Immediately in front of the mitch-board on deck is the 

 hatchway leading to the net-room, and along the sides 

 or "wings" of this compartment the fish are stowed 

 away as they are sent below. Abaft the mitch-board 

 is the rope-room, in the wings of which the salt is kept, 

 5 or 6 tons of this necessary material being the quantity 

 usually carried ; and between the rope-room and the 

 mizenmast stands the capstan, of a conical shape, and 

 worked by bars in the ordinary manner ; by means of 

 this the warp and nets are hauled in. 



The number of men in the larger vessels ranges from 

 nine to eleven, or in a few cases to twelve ; this being 

 determined by the size of the boat and the proportionate 

 length and weight of the nets. Time is valuable in 

 drift-fishing ; for if the fish are abundant the nets are 



