28 



young to their neighbours gratuitously, or selHng them at a 

 low price. He thought it would be quite possible to do 

 the same in the inland waters of Ireland. Mr. Walsh had 

 made many suggestions, some of which were very valuable, 

 especially that relating to the introduction of steam into the 

 herring fishery. Only last week he had visited the coast 

 of Scotland with the express purpose of studying the 

 herring fisheries of that region. He not only visited the 

 fishing ports, but went out both upon a steam trawler, and 

 upon a herring boat, to see the methods adopted for catch- 

 ing fish. At Aberdeen — the port from which he sailed — 

 about 500 vessels started, and proceeded to sea, some 30, 

 some 40, and some 50 miles. The fish were fairly plentiful, 

 and a number of the boats secured good catches ; but the 

 wind died out, and their fish were as worthless to them as 

 though they had been swimming in the sea. They were, 

 almost without exception, unable to make the harbour. 

 A few were provided with salt, which enabled them to 

 preserve their herring, and to remain out for another night's 

 fishing; but the next morning was as calm as before ; and 

 many of them again saw their catches lying comparatively 

 worthless in their boats : for, even if salted, the curers would 

 pay only half as much for them as for fresh herring. Two 

 or three steamers had recently been purchased by Aberdeen 

 parties, and fitted out for the herring fishery, and it was an 

 aggravating sight to those who were depending on wind and 

 sails to see the steamboats going by them to harbour to 

 market their fish. He quite admitted that steam could be 

 used with a decided advantage in the fisheries of any country 

 where it was necessary to run to market in order to sell 

 the fish while fresh. In America they began the capture of 

 the Menhaden and other fish, which it was desirable to land 

 fresh, with sailing vessels, but soon found it was difficult to 



