THE COD AND COD-FISHERY 299 



Many times I have seen these vessels with the space 

 below decks divided only by chalk marks on the inner 

 lining of the hold, to indicate the few feet allotted to each 

 crew and family. The separation of sexes and privacy 

 for women is inadequate at best, and frequently to all 

 intents and purposes absent. I have attended confinements 

 and almost every kind of sickness in these vessels where one 

 could scarcely stand up. I have seen suffering aboard them 

 that I trust none of my own kith and kin will ever have to 

 experience. The natural, simple kindness of the fishermen 

 surely stands them in good stead. The fact that crowds 

 of women and children are battened down in the holds of 

 these vessels in rough weather is too suggestive to need 

 detailed description. The carrying of single girls on these 

 vessels has led to many troubles also, and I have never 

 ceased to deplore the carrying of females as part of the crews 

 of fishing vessels that are months away from home and 

 civilization. It is a matter of profound gratitude that the 

 opening up of other work is lessening the necessity for it, 

 but it should long ago have been made illegal. 



The freighters are often so close to the decks and beams 

 that it is impossible even to sit up without care. When 

 the weather is rough, the hatches must be closed, and then 

 no daylight can get below. Meanwhile the " lumber" 

 makes it impossible to get about on deck in a breeze to 

 handle the vessel. Such schooners, therefore, have to pick 

 their way along the shore, "keep inside all the runs," and 

 always, if possible, get an anchorage at night. This be- 

 comes doubly essential on the return voyage in the autumn, 

 when the sudden storms sweep down off the high land and 

 the proverbial gales of the "roaring forties" make it hard 



