io THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING FISHING. 



Method of catch is thus explained : the boat and crew 

 being ready to proceed to sea the crew get aboard 

 and commence to " red," i.e. fold the nets in methodical 

 succession, head-rope being to "stern," and foot-rope to 

 " bow." To counteract the weight and position of the nets 

 stones are used to balance. That finished, the boat is 

 pushed or rowed out of the harbour, sail is hoisted, and, 

 according to the state of wind and tide, is steered out to the 

 fishing grounds. Arrived there, sail is lowered, and the 

 nets " cast " or " shot " over the starboard side of the boat. 

 The " watch " is set. Shortly before sunrise, and with 

 the disappearance of the phosphoric light, the nets are 

 hauled aboard and the herrings are shaken, weather per- 

 mitting, from the nets into the " hold," and the nets folded 

 methodically. Should the sea be rough when the hauling 

 takes place, the nets cannot be shaken ; but that no time 

 may be lost, and to admit of the herrings being delivered 

 in best possible condition, the fishermen always endeavour 

 to have their nets shaken as they approach the harbour. 



Delivery is here to be understood as from the boat to 

 the carts on the quay. The fishermen shovel the herrings 

 into the baskets and hoist them by means of ropes running 

 through a " pulley " attached to the top of the boat's mast. 

 When on a level with the quay, the carter, who has a rope 

 fixed to the basket rope, draws to him, and the contents 

 are emptied into his cart. A crew consists of five or six men 

 and a boy, and in delivering the herrings, half of them 

 attend to the filling of the baskets, and the other half to the 

 hoisting. All have hard work, and there is no stoppage 

 till every herring is delivered. The hoisting tells severely 

 on the hands, and is not improved by the curious use 

 of heavy worsted " mits " or gloves so often seen worn by 

 the " hoisters." 



