356 DEEP-SRA FISHING. 



The fisheries on this range of coast are of a varied 

 character, and include some of the most important of 

 the island. Dublin is the head-quarters of the deep-sea 

 trawlers, and now possesses a fleet of nearly fifty smacks, 

 ranging- from 30 to 50 tons, N.M., and usually working 

 from tliat station. The nets used by them are generally 

 about 80 feet in length, and with beams about 44 feet 

 long. Deep-sea trawlers were first worked from Dublin 

 in 1818, some Brixham smacks having been bought for 

 the purpose. Brixham men also came over, and in 

 course of time more vessels were added to the fleet, as 

 the fishing grounds became better known and the profit- 

 able character of the fishing was established. The 

 " English boats," as the Dublin trawlers are, we believe, 

 still commonly called, have not always been regarded 

 with favour by the Irish fishermen, and their ojoerations 

 until quite recently have been almost confined to the 

 east coast. The Dublin vessels work all the year round 

 when they can get hands ; but the very fine weather 

 usual in June and July is not favourable for trawling, 

 and at that time other occupations are more profitable 

 to the men ; so that while in many parts of Ireland 

 fishermen are unable to work for want of boats and 

 tackle, in others boats and nets are obliged to remain 

 idle because there are not sufficient skilled fishermen to 

 manage them. The attractions of the herring fishery 

 carry off a great many of the hands for a time, and in 

 some cases the smacks are themselves used in the drift- 

 fishery during the busy part of the herring season. 

 They are, however, not well suited for that kind of 

 fishing ; the size of the vessels is not so objectionable, 

 but their rig is inconvenient for this work, and the in- 

 ability to lower the mast when " driving " not only 

 makes the vessel very uneasy, but if there is any wind 



