136 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



gathered in so wild a country for such 

 hazardous occupation, mainly because 

 drink is not procurable. It is astonishing 

 that such small boats are used, for the seas 

 are often very rough : the contrary winds 

 sometimes prevent whole flotillas from 

 returning to land and cause great loss of 

 life. It is also surprising that the British 

 steam trawler has not visited the fishing 

 ground, for it would doubtless be a great 

 improvement on the small boats. 



The larger stations are linked up by 

 telegraph, which is very valuable to the 

 fishermen, especially those fishing for her- 

 rings. As soon as a shoal appears the 

 herring fleets are telegraphed for, and 

 quickly arrive, being towed by cargo ships 

 bringing empty barrels and salt. As opera- 

 tions proceed the smaller boats fill the ships 

 with the cargoes, and their crews salt the 

 herrings and pack them into barrels. These 

 are sent direct to Russia and Germany 

 without touching the mainland. 



The sardine industry of the south is 

 quite different, for it demands infinite care 

 for detail. Stavanger, the centre, ilias now 

 a population of 40,000, and owes its quick 



