210 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



" wire " some time after the trains have departed with 

 their freights. Ice is largely used in packing the fish, 

 but none is taken, to sea by these trawlers, as their 

 fishing ground is only a few miles distant, and they 

 land their fish every day. Wlien this has been done, 

 the smacks generally go off" again, except on Saturdays, 

 it having been always the practice of the fishermen to 

 remain at home from that day till Monday morning, 

 when the whole fleet again goes to sea. The trawlers 

 work on the share system — undoubtedly the best for all 

 parties. The master has generally some interest in the 

 vessel, and he takes care that she is worked with due 

 regard to economy, and that whilst no necessary expense 

 is spared in keeping her sails and gear in proper order, 

 everything is made to last as long as possible. This is 

 one of the secrets of profitable sea fishing ; and the 

 absence of the constant interested supervision of the 

 owner or part-owner of a fishing vessel is a principal 

 cause of the failure of most joint-stock fishing com- 

 panies. 



The smacks which have been built of late years, 

 either at home or at Dartmouth, for the Brixham 

 men, have cost from 900/. to 1000/. each. They 

 carry from four to five hands, of whom one or two 

 are apprentices. 



Besides trawlers there are a good many small hookers 

 of four or five tons each, which work from Brixham 

 and Torquay. They are used for handline, and quite 

 recently longline, fishing for whiting, bream, cod, and 

 other kinds offish which are obtained at ten or twelve 

 miles off" the land, or at a less distance according to the 

 time of year. In the summer when the mackerel come 

 into the bay, these boats are often busily employed in 

 catching them, and short j^oles are rigged out on 



