342 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



alteration in their rig, and on the strength of the 

 additional sail being a lug they henceforth called their 

 fishing boats " luggers," although, strictly speaking, 

 they are dandy-rigged. The mainmast is always 

 lowered as soon as the train of nets has been shot, 

 unless it happen to be very calm weather. A further 

 improvement has taken place by a gradual increase in 

 the size of the boats ; most of the old ones, as they 

 became unserviceable or were sold (in many cases to 

 the Irish fishermen), having been replaced by new 

 ones, larger and better in every way. Cotton nets, 

 made by beautiful machinery in the island, have 

 long superseded those of flax which were formerly 

 in general use ; the change has been advantageous 

 in many ways ; for besides being more effective in 

 securing the fish, the cotton lasts very much longer 

 than the flax when used for fishing nets, and does 

 not require barking so frequently, thus saving time, 

 trouble, and expense. The cost of new nets, whether 

 made of cotton or flax, was very much the same a 

 few years ago, but we cannot say what it may be now 

 when cotton is so much in demand not only for nets 

 but also for lines, and all kinds of fishing gear have 

 become more expensive. 



Tlie drift boats carry seven men each, and are generally 

 the property of the fishermen ; the proceeds of tlie fish- 

 ing being divided into shares, of which ten are given to 

 the nets ; and as each fisherman provides a portion of 

 this essential part of the fit out, lie shares accordingly. 

 Then the boat takes two and a half shares, and each 

 man one share ; the cost of food and carting the nets to 

 and from the boat is provided for by another share and 

 a lialf, making a total of twent3'-one shares into wliicli 

 the proceeds of the week's fishing are divided. 



