290 



DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



expense both in first cost and working. The larger 

 the vessel the more economy there is in the general 

 management ; and although we are unwilling to sug- 

 gest any obstacles to improvements in fishery appliances, 

 we think many difficulties will continue to be found in 

 the direct application of steam to such vessels as are 

 best suited to the Scotch herring fishery. Such a system 

 seemed particularly applicable to deep-sea trawling, 

 where a certain speed is absolutely necessary for work ; 

 but the expense has been the great difficulty, and it is 

 now only used in the " carriers " which collect the fish 

 from the different vessels and take it to the market. 

 For this purpose steam is found to answer ; but even 

 here it only pays when the vessel is large enough to 

 carry a considerable cargo. Tugs have been used for 

 some time past in towing sailing carriers up the Thames 

 when necessary, and at Yarmouth it is a common thing 

 to see the tugs go out and pick up both trawlers and 

 drift-boats, and bring them into the haven. It is in 

 work of this kind that steam may, we think, be usefully 

 employed ; but even in such cases it can be only par- 

 tially used, for at many of the stations the herring boats 

 congregate in hundreds — Wick, for instance, at times 

 sending forth 1000 or more boats — and it would be 

 very difficult to provide enough towing power to take 

 half of them to sea or bring thein l)ack from any 

 distance within the available time. 



Banff to Wick — Nlmber of Boats. 



