15 



suggest, and the saving in time effected by the change would 

 not only ensure the best price for the fish, but, what is 

 better, would enable the boat, unless under some extra- 

 ordinary circumstances, to fish every night. These advan- 

 tages must be obvious ; for taking into consideration the 

 time that elapses between the time when the fish is caught, 

 brought to harbour by the fastest sailing boats, and sold 

 by the retailer in our great central markets, it is of the 

 utmost consequence that the only period during the 

 transfer where, unless by accident or want of carrying 

 accommodation, delays can occur, namely, the bringing 

 to harbour from the fishing ground, should be shortened as 

 much as possible, and the fish delivered to the packers in 

 the freshest possible condition. 



Besides these great advantages the steam-fishing boat 

 might earn large amounts by towing sailing boats to the 

 harbour mouth, or even to the fishing ground when the 

 wind was "slack" or contrary. In many of the Scotch 

 herring fisheries the use of steam is largely applied, and I 

 am informed that a few Scotch herring boats are propelled 

 by steam, the steam, of course, being used only when 

 necessary by reason of no wind or adverse wind. But the 

 principle I have laid down, of the profits and benefits to 

 be derived, outside the actual use of steam to the propelling 

 of the boat itself, is conclusively proven by what occurs 

 in those Scotch fisheries, and in this way — 



Fish merchants not only employ steam carriers, but 

 also steam tugs, which are used to tow sailing fishing boats 

 to the harbour mouths and fishing grounds. I think this 

 fact proves how beneficial would be the application of 

 steam to mackerel fishing boats in the manner I have 

 pointed out. 



The improvements that might be made in steam carriers 



