108 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



with a length of from 100 to 150 feet, with 

 an engine ranging from 50 to 90 horse- 

 power. The net is towed along the bottom 

 with the mouth open, often to a width of 

 90 or 100 feet ; this is kept open by 

 the aid of two heavy iron-bound doors, 

 each about the size of the top of a large 

 billiard-table ; these are towed in a vertical 

 position along the bottom and the mouth 

 of the net is between them. Along the 

 floor of the net at the entrance is a heavy 

 ground rope often carrying huge wooden 

 rollers which, as they roll along the sand, 

 stir up the flat fish lying or swimming on 

 the bottom (often in winter hibernating), 

 and as these fish rise, the ground-rope and 

 rollers sweep under them and the fish are 

 caught in the oncoming net. Every few 

 hours the net is weighed up on board by 

 the aid of the steam winch, and disgorges 

 the contents on the deck of the ship. The 

 fish are promptly sorted, gutted, and sent 

 below to be iced in different compartments. 

 As soon as the trawler has a sufficient 

 quantity, or has been away from port a 

 sufficient time to make a return imperative, 

 so that the catch may be landed in good 



