The Lesser Steamers 191 



The cable ship was at one time a con- 

 verted liner, but now it has become a 

 specially designed type, its hull so divided 

 that it can carry an enormous amount of 

 cable, involving the laying of several thou- 

 sand miles without a return to port. 



Amongst the smaller steamers the 

 trawlers and drifters employed in fishing 

 must take a very high place. No stouter 

 ships ever go to sea than these. It is said 

 that whatever the weather, whatever the 

 gale warnings may be, out they go and 

 for a fortnight or more, for the short voy- 

 age ships, they are hard at work. Others 

 penetrate the Arctic regions, their men 

 suffering terribly from the cold, but rarely 

 giving up the sea despite its inclemency. 



The fishing fleet under steam is com- 

 paratively a recent innovation, and we may 

 well be glad that the change over has been 

 made, much as we must regret the passing 

 of sail ; under the latter the death roll was 

 many times what it is to-day when far 

 more vessels and men are employed. 



