. THE HERRING FISHERY. 9 



but for the outside fishing nothing has yet been found to 



equal the Penzance and St. Ives luggers. I consider them Penzance and 



far superior to the east of Scotland luggers ; the fineness of bo'at. V 



their lines and the symmetry of their hulls make them 



more to resemble pleasure yachts than fishing boats. Some 



of our west of Scotland fishermen went to England and Adopted in 



Scotland. 



got boats of this class built to order, and their models were 



copied here for the mackerel and outside herring fishing. 



When fitted up with every appliance they cost nearly a Cost of these 



thousand pounds. Our fishermen say they are really 



good boats, being so buoyant that they can weather almost 



any storm. The Isle of Man fishers seem to have a like 



good opinion of them, as all the old crafts have given way 



to them. The nets in these large boats are nearly all hauled Nets in boats 



, . , . , . , . mentioned, 



by spring-backs, which are hove in by capstans or winches. g . 



Some of the largest boats indeed employ steam winches for ba <*s." 

 this purpose. There is an improved winch, or, as fishermen 

 call it, " iron man," which can be used without a spring-back, "I ron man." 

 thus saving both labour and expense. The east coast fisher- 

 men regard it as a great improvement. The boats used at Boats and 

 both the out and inside fishing are in the best of order, and good order, 

 whatever may be said to the contrary, the gear, sails, sleep- 

 ing berths, cabins, &c., are all good. Speaking of boats and A suggestion, 

 their furniture, I may state that it has often occurred to me 

 that a part of the ballast carried on the outside of the boat 

 would prove a protection against capsizing, and give more 

 stowage for nets. That this would give extra speed is 

 shown by the example of the yachts. Some people might 

 object to this proposal on the ground that it would be 

 unsuitable for dry harbours, but I cannot think that a few 

 tons of iron bolted through the keel and through a good 

 keelson would do any harm ; and where the boats were 

 always kept afloat, more could be added. I mention iron as 



