72 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



that the system in vogue among the steam- 

 trawler owners of Grimsby and Hull, of 

 giving the master and crew a percentage 

 of the profits, has been proved to be the 

 most successful. Also the advantages 

 which a joint-stock company has in running 

 a large number- of vessels are considerable ; 

 the company are able to compare the work 

 of different crews and ships, and thus safe- 

 guard themselves against inefficient skippers 

 and crews. If in twelve months one ship 

 brings in fish to the value of 10,000 and 

 another of the same type can only produce 

 8000, it reflects upon the abilities of the 

 captain producing the lesser quantity. 

 The competition results in the owners ob- 

 taining the maximum of effort. This is 

 particularly marked in Grimsby, where the 

 quantity of ships, being larger than that 

 of any other port, make for a greater regu- 

 larity of supply. The shopkeeper knows 

 that no matter how bad the weather might 

 be, or .how great the scarcity of fish, it can 

 be obtained, if he is prepared to pay the 

 price, at Grimsby. It is a well-known fact 

 that the market with the greatest and most 

 constant supply will eventually create the 



