HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 121 



The seine-boat as now in use resembles the well-known whale-boat, 

 differing from it, however, in some important particulars. 



The seine-boat, according to Mr. Gifford, must have three qualities: 

 (1 .) It should tow well ; consequently it is made sharpest forward; a whale- 

 boat, on the other hand, is sharpest aft, to facilitate backing after the 

 whale has been struck. (3:) It should row well, and this quality also is 

 obtained by the sharp bow ; the whale-boat also should row well, but 

 in this case it has been found desirable to sacrifice speed in part to the 

 additional safety attained by having the stern sharper than the bow. 

 (3.) It should be stiff or steady in the water, since the operation of 

 shooting the seine necessitates much moving about in the boat. 



The Gloucester seine-boat of the present day is a modification of the 

 old-fashioned whale-boat, combining the qualities mentioned above. 

 The average length of such a boat is about 34 feet, its width 7 feet 5 

 inches, its depth amidship 33 inches. At the stern is a platform, meas- 

 iug about 4 feet, fore and aft, on which the captain stands to steer: this 

 is G to 8 inches below the gunwale. Another platform extends the 

 whole length of the boat's bottom, from the after part of which the 

 seiae is set. In the bow is still another platform, on which stands the 

 man who hauls the cork-line. There are four thwarts or seats, a large 

 space being left clear behind the middle of the boat for the stowage of 

 the seines. Upon the starboard side of the boat, near the middle, is 

 arranged an upright iron support, about 18 inches in height, to which 

 are attached two iron snatch-blocks used in the working of the purse 

 ro[)es. Upon the opposite side of the boat, generally near the bow and 

 stern, but with position varied according to the fancies of the fishennau, 

 are fixed in the gunwale two staples, to which are attached other snatch- 

 blocks used to secure additional purchase upon the purse-ropes. In the 

 center of the platform at tbe stern of the boat is placed a large wooden 

 pump, used to draw out the water which accumulates in large quantities 

 during the hauling of the seine. The steering rowlocks, with the peculiar 

 attachment for the tow rope and the metallic fixtures described above, 

 are manufactured especially for seine-boats by Messrs. Wilcox & Crit- 

 tenden, Middletown, Conn.* 



Until 1872 the seine-boats were always built in the lap-streak style ; 

 since that time an improved form of smooth -bottomed boats, built with 

 battened seam set-work, sheathed inside with pine, and with oak frame 

 and pine platform, has been growing in popularity. The advantages 

 claimed for this boat by the builders are: (1.) Increased speed; (2.) 

 greater durability, on account of the more solid character of the wood- 

 work and tighter seams; and, (3.) less liability to catch the twine of the 

 nets by reason of the smooth sides. It is not so stiff as a lap-streaked 

 boat of same width, but in other respects superior. 



Since the general adoption of the purse-seine, in the menhaden and 

 mackerel fisheries, an account of which is given elsewhere, there has 

 * The Cape Auu seine-boat, -with all its attachments, is illustrated in Plate XV. 



