386 DEEP-SEA FISHING. 



Claddagli men are fast diminishing in number, and are 

 now even more deeply sunk in poverty than has been 

 their general condition for many years past ; and it can 

 hardly be a matter of regret to those who wish to see 

 Irish fishermen and fisheries improving that a com- 

 munity which has for so long a time been a stumbling- 

 block at Galway, and a bad example to other fishermen, 

 should be gradually becoming less powerful for mischief. 

 It is said that a " New Claddagh " is being established 

 in America ; and it will surely be a happy thing for 

 Ireland when the old community is quite broken up, 

 and their evil deeds are known only by tradition. 



The other fisheries in Galway Bay are for mackerel, 

 sprats, and line-fish of many excellent kinds. Sprats 

 are taken by scans, and mackerel by scans and line ; 

 drift-nets would also be used for the mackerel if the 

 fishermen had the means of providing them. Line- 

 fishing was extensively carried on in former times, and 

 there is no want of cod, ling, whiting, and other hook- 

 fish at the present time in the bay ; but boats and 

 fishermen have alike diminished, and line-fishing has 

 fallen off in proportion. 



The Galway hookers have long been famous, and are 

 of a peculiar build, unlike any other Irish fishing boats. 

 The large class hookers, about 15 tons, are half-decked, 

 from 30 to 35 feet over all, and with about 10 feet beam ; 

 the stern-post has a moderate rake, and the stem a large 

 gripe. The depth of hold is not nearly as great in pro- 

 portion as in the Kinsale boats, and the topsides tumble 

 in for a great portion of their length very mucli in the 

 American style, giving them a very peculiar appear- 

 ance. 



They are smack-rigged, and the sails are made of 

 T)andle linen covered with a mixture of Stockholm tar 



