ove EXAMINATION OF THE PRESENT STATE 
and unfit for further service as tug-boats, were bought up by persons 
with no knowledge of the business, and converted into steam trawlers. 
At first the supply of fish seemed almost inexhaustible, so great was 
the amount of fish landed, and for a time all went well; but after a 
year or two of this wholesale destruction the catches gradually 
diminished, so much so that many of them could no longer find 
profitable employment. 
«This class of paddle-trawlers has gradually died out, there being 
few remaining at present owing to the fish within a reasonable 
distance from the land having been exterminated by continual 
trawling ; their large coal consumption rendering them unprofitable 
for long runs. ‘They have therefore been superseded by screw 
vessels, specially built for the purpose, and fitted with fish-holds 
and ice rooms to enable them to keep their fish a considerable time ; 
and as the machinery of a screw vessel is much more compact and 
more economical in regard to consumption of fuel, they can go a much 
greater distance from land, and remain much longer at sea. 
“These vessels have in their turn almost exterminated the fish on 
the Dogger and Great Fisher Banks, and several of them this year 
(1892) have landed their trawl gear, fitted out with lines, and worked 
at Farée, &c., at the halibut fishing. 
“The extermination of large fish on the inshore grounds has 
gradually introduced screw steam line-boats. At first paddle-tugs 
went into the venture, going off from twenty to twenty-five miles 
from land, and carrying the fish caught on deck ; but as fish became 
fewer, necessitating their going a greater distance into the sea, they 
in their turn were superseded by screw vessels built for the service, 
and fitted with fish-holds, &e. 
“This class of vessel is largely on the increase, and on the Tyne 
there is now a fine fleet of steam line-vessels, many of them going a 
great distance from land, some of them im the herring season 
catching their own bait, and at other seasons having herring bait 
sent to them by rail from Yarmouth or Scotland according to where 
the herring fishery may be. 
“It seems as if the steam line-boat will in time supersede the 
steam-trawler, as they can be of less size and power, consequently 
less coal consumption ; their fishing gear is less costly, the cost of a 
trawl and rope being from £100 to £150, while a set of lines can 
be had for about £40, 
‘“A very much better price can also be obtained for line fish than 
for trawled, only healthy and well-conditioned fish being caught on 
lines, as sick and spawning fish seldom take bait. 
“This steam fishing has of course greatly reduced the number of 
cobles formerly employed in fishing; at one time there was a 
