PACIFIC COD FISHERIES 



431 



placed on board at the beginning of the season with the hope that it 

 could be used in hauling long lines. 



The process of tarring seemed to weaken the lines. Untarred lines 

 were used for renewals and were found to be much stronger and 

 more durable. 



Both 32 and 20 pound cotton tarred lines were used for ground 

 line, while the gangings were of G-pound tarred lines. Experiment 

 developed the fact that 20-pound lines were amply heavy and strong 

 enough for the work, and that untarred cotton lines were more 

 durable and stronger than the tarred lines used, the tarring seeming 

 to weaken the line. In the last experiments the gangings were each 



Fig. 9.- 



-Cod trawl line hauled by means of net lifter 

 on deck of vessels 



about 5 feet long and were attached about 6 feet apart, this being 

 necessary because of the high freeboard of the vessel. 



Only a couple of skates of gear were rigged for experimental use 

 with the machine. After being baited these skates were coiled on 

 movable plank platforms about 5 feet long^by 2y 2 feet wide. Placing 

 one of these at the stern of the vessel an experienced man could pay 

 out the line by means of two short sticks (a method followed by the 

 Norwegians), in order to prevent the possibility of the hooks catch- 

 ing in a man's flesh or clothing, as fast as the vessel could steam. 

 An anchor and buoy were at each end of the long line, which was set 

 with the tide. 



After the net had been down a couple of hours the vessel came up 

 to the leeward buoy in order to haul against the tide. The buoy was 



