180 



DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



mentioned, as we can hardly believe there are as many 

 as 4000 fishing boats there which never hoist a sail. 



The returns are obtained through the Custom House, 

 and each collectorship includes all the boats within its 

 district, and has certain distinguishing letters with 

 which all the fishing boats belonging to it are required 

 to be marked. 



Although these returns are by no means trustworthy, 

 particularly those previous to 1872, it will not be de- 

 sirable to omit all reference to them ; w^e shall there- 

 fore give the number of registered boats for each Port 

 according to the last return, and prefix the Port Letters 

 by which all the boats belonging to it are distinguished. 

 Some little idea may then be gained of the localities 

 in which the fishing interests are strongest, and from 

 which the larger supplies of fish are obtained for the 

 market. 



It will be' convenient to take the three countries in 

 succession, beginning with the north-west of England, 

 and following the line of coast round to Berwick on 

 the north-east; then taking Scotland and Ireland; and 

 illustrations will be given of such kinds of fishing boats 

 as are peculiar to the different parts of the coast. 



Carlisle to Euncobn — Number of Boats. 



