362 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



as on the coast of Scotland and part of the coast of 

 England, they had long previously left their usual 

 g'rounds for a time without there having been any sound 

 reason for believing the system of trawling could have 

 driven them away. What we now know about the 

 haddock spawn floating at the surface and the young 

 fish being developed under these circumstances, is 

 sufficient to dispose of the cliarge against the trawlers. 

 The haddocks, however, did not entirely forsake the 

 neighbourhood, but occasionally appeared when they 

 were not expected, and more especially in recent 3'ears. 

 In 1872 a very large number was taken during one 

 week, but only a few subsequently ; and in answer to a 

 question we recently put to one of the large smack- 

 owners at Dublin, we were informed that the haddocks 

 had " again made their appearance this season in pretty 

 fair abundance on the old fishing grounds." 



The smaller boats employed for the line-fishery are 

 of the same style as the Norway yawl, sharp at both 

 ends ; and some form of that excellent kind of boat is 

 generally used on many parts of the Irish coast. It 

 was introduced many years ago by Norway sliijjs 

 trading to Ireland, and with some alterations, depend- 

 ing very much on local ideas, continues in great favour. 

 Smacks of from 20 to 30 tons are used for distant 

 fishing. 



The most important and profitable fishery on the 

 east and north-east coast to tlie general body of fisher- 

 men is that for herrings, and it attracts, as we have 

 said, a large number of boats from Cornwall, Scotland, 

 and the Isle of Man. The two great stations for this 

 fishery are Howth, at the northern point of Dublin 

 Bay, and i^rdglass, a little south of Strangford, and 

 opposite the Isle of Man. The season commences at 



