310 EXPENSES OF FISHING-VESSELS. [CHAP. vn. 



The trawler is furnished with a capstan for hauling in this 

 heavy machine. The beam, a spar of heavy elm wood, is 

 38 feet in length, and 2 feet in circumference at the middle, 

 and is made to taper to the ends. Two trawl-heads (oval 

 rings, 4 feet by 2j feet) are fixed to the beam, one at each 

 end. The upper part of the bag-net, which is about 100 feet 

 long, is fastened to the beam, while the lower part is attached 

 to the ground-rope. The ends of the ground-rope are fastened 



a week ; each fisherman, who is a net-owner, receives 24s. a week. 

 The expenses in wages and wear and tear are calculated at from 12 to 

 <15 weekly. The herrings are valued at 2 per 1000 on an average. 

 Sometimes 23,000 fish are caught in a single haul, occasionally as many 

 as 60,000, but 40,000 are considered a good catch. To remunerate 

 the crew, ,50 or .60 a week ought to be obtained. Each net is 10 

 fathoms long, and is sunk 9 fathoms during the fishing, the upper part 

 being floated by a long series of barrels, which are fitted at intervals of 

 15 fathoms. The warps used for laying out the nets in each vessel 

 measure 2200 yards. Two men take up the nets, two empty the fish 

 out of them, and one boy stows the nets while his fellow stows the 

 warps, which are raised by a windlass worked by the men. Each net 

 weighs about 28 pounds. In order to preserve the nets and sails, it is 

 necessary at frequent intervals to cover them with tanning, which is 

 prepared in large coppers. These coppers cost 40." 



On the Gulf of St. Lawrence the engagements of fishermen are as 

 follows : 



" The fishermen are brought to the fishing-station at the expense of 

 the firm engaging them. They are furnished with a good fishing-boat, 

 thoroughly fitted, and are besides supplied with fresh bait as long as it 

 can be got, and they require it, but on payment of a sum of $6 to $8 ; 

 and for each 100 codfish delivered on the stage they receive the sum 

 of 5s. 6d., one half in money and the other half in goods and provisions. 

 At these prices, and fish being abundant, fishermen earn $5, $10, $15, 

 and even $20 a day ; and after an absence of from 6 to 9 weeks, bring 

 home from $80 to $120, and sometimes more. But they have to board 

 themselves ; and if the fish is not abundant, their account of the pro- 

 visions lent to their families before their departure, their own board, the 

 purchase of their lines, take up the greatest part of their earnings, 

 and they very often return to Magdelen Islands with empty pockets." 

 Great quantities of all kinds of fish are found in the St. Lawrence. 



