BAG-NETP. 163 



fastened to an anchor of about four Innidredweisrht. 

 The vessel is held by the same anchor, so that in any 

 case of dragging, owing to the great pressure of the 

 tide against the net, the vessel and net move together 

 and keep the same relative positions. The lower balk 

 is weighted either with lead or iron to keep it down, and 

 two ropes called '^' templines " (i) lead from the ends of 

 the upper balk to each side of the vessel ; by these the 

 balk is raised and the mouth of the net kept open. 

 One important part of the gear remaining to be noticed 

 is the " wind-chain" (k) ; it is made fast to the middle of 

 the lower balk^ and leads through an iron strop or loop 

 on the upper one to the bow of the vessel, where it 

 comes on board through a short davit close to the bow- 

 sprit. By heaving on this chain the mouth of the net 

 is closed, and the two balks with the net are raised to 

 the surface. Lastly, a rope called the pinion (/) leads 

 from the end of the net to the stern of the vessel ; this 

 is brought into use when the fish- are to be taken out of 

 the net. 



When the stow-net is to be used the vessel takes up a 

 position at the beginning of the tide where there are 

 signs of fish, or in localities where the sprats are likely 

 to be found ; she then anchors, and at the same time 

 the net is shot, and streams away below and astern of 

 the vessel ; the sails are stowed and no special attention 

 is required till the tide has nearly finished, only one 

 hand remaining on watch to see when it is getting 

 slack water and to keep a general look-out ; for the 

 fishing is carried on in some of the numerous channels 

 at the entrance of the river, and often close to the track 

 of vessels going up or down. 



As soon as the tide is becoming slack the wind- 

 chain is hove in and the net brought alongside. It is 



M 2 



