364 



DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



then go away north and fish in company with the 

 mixed fleet between Dublin and Ardglass. In Oc- 

 tober, however, herrings are again on this part of the 

 coast, and the fisher}^ is continued with more or less 

 success till nearly the end of the year. The boats used 

 here are luggers and small smacks, the latter being 

 principally employed for the oyster fishery. 



Some inshore beam-trawling is carried on from Cour- 

 town, a little south of Arklow, as well as at Wexford, 

 and the large Dublin trawlers work at certain seasons 

 on this part of the coast. Herrings appear to be found 

 in the nei2:hbourhood of Wexford more continuously 

 than farther north, and are to be met with there more 

 or less from May to Christmas. The fishery, liowever, 

 is on a very small scale. 



The boats used at Wexford for the herring fishery 

 are of a very peculiar style. They are called "cots," 



Wexfokd Heruing Cot — on shoke. 



and are entirely flat-bottomed, with the exception of a 

 small bit of keel at eacli end, and what may be called a 

 bilge-piece or false keel running for some distance on 

 each side, between the floor and the planking. Their 

 peculiarities will be seen in the accompanying illustra- 

 tions, representing one of these cots out of the water 

 and tilted for the purpose of being cleaned, and another 

 inider sail. Their usual length is about 30 feet over 

 all^ and with 7^ or 8 feet beam. A centre-board, with 



