REMARKS ON TRAWLING. 313 
It is apparent, from certain remarks in the preceding paragraph, 
that it is a mistake to say that the trawl alone can capture flat 
fishes. Ifthe bait be suitable the lines are tolerably effective in 
regard to plaice, lemon-dabs, dabs, and flounders. Again, halibut- 
fishing (by hook) is the most productive method off the coasts of 
Iceland, Farde, and elsewhere, and even the turbot and the sole are 
occasionally caught by the liners. 
Il. CHANGES IN THE T'RAWLING- VESSELS AND THEIR APPARATUS. 
With the exception of a few small sailing vessels and boats, 
trawling in Scottish waters is carried on, as it was in 1884, almost 
exclusively by steam-vessels ; but, whereas at the latter period many 
of the vessels were old tugs or modified paddle-steamers formerly 
used for other purposes, most of the modern vessels, e.g. sailing 
from Granton and Aberdeen, are specially built for the purpose. 
The finest vessels do not cost much more than the serviceable vessels 
of the General Steam Fishing Company did in 1884, viz. £4,500, 
but very considerable improvements have occurred in the arrange- 
ment and equipment. Some of these iron ships are 100 to 120 
feet between the perpendiculars, and considerably more on deck, 
with a depth of 10 to 12 feet. The paddle-ships at Montrose* are 
116 feet between the perpendiculars, 21 feet broad and 10 feet deep ; 
while the fine screw vessel is no less than 120 feet between the per- 
pendiculars, 21 feet broad, and 11 feet 6 inches deep. ‘The three 
latter have comparatively low bows, like many of the ships from 
Granton. The newer ships at Granton have also increased in size. 
Moreover, greatly increased height is given to the bow of the vessels 
at Aberdeen, so that the foot-hold on the fore-deck must be very 
uncertain, especially if slippery ; but the water is kept out of the 
ship by such an arrangement. The after-part of the ship, however, 
is more or less flat, so that the trawls can easily be worked. These 
vessels range from 140 to 180 tons burthen, with engines from 40 to 
65 horse-power. 
Instead of having the steam-winch near the fore-cabin, in the newest 
ships it is placed on deck close to the engine-room, so that the 
steadiness of the ship is increased, and the bow kept out of the 
water. The screw-vessel at Montrose has two winches, one being 
behind the foremast, the other (smaller) behind the mainmast. The 
latter is very useful in discharging fishes and in working the dandy. 
In general, the Granton ships have the steam-winch in front, with 
the capstan behind, just before the engine-room—a different arrange- 
ment from that at Aberdeen. Moreover, a decided improvement is 
introduced by the presence of a “brake”? in connection with this 
* Messrs. Joseph Johnston and Sons. 
