140 



take to conduct such benevolent societies a similar success will attend 

 them. For such a purpose the co-operation of the clergy is most 

 desirable. 



FISHING CHARTS. In a treatise " On the Importance of Extending 

 the British Fisheries," by S. Phelps, [London, 8vo, 1818,] the failure 

 of their extension is principally attributed to their never having been 

 methodically made a national object of investigation. The Commission 

 of Inquiry of 183*5 has removed this want in a great measure, with 

 regard to those of Ireland; no allusion, however, appears among their 

 recommendations with respect to that important materiel of proceed- 

 ings the carte du pays. 



Mr. J. C. Deane, in a paper addressed to the Royal Dublin Society, 

 in 1847, writes as follows, in advocating that the deep-sea fishing banks 

 should be surveyed by Government, as well with a view of ascertain- 

 ing their exact position, as of recording their productiveness : 



' During the past year some gentlemen with whom I connected 

 myself sought to organize a Company for supplying fishing-boats, and 

 for fishing generally. We presented a memorial to the late Govern- 

 ment for a vessel to survey the great Nymph Bank, and a revenue 

 cruiser was at once placed at our disposal; but not having received 

 public support, we were, with much regret, unavoidably prevented 

 from taking advantage of this liberal offer. 



* The expense of providing gear would have been very considerable, 

 (more than those who organized the project felt themselves called 

 upon to incur,) and it was even questioned by practical men whether 

 the survey could have been effectively carried on by one vessel, and 

 more particularly as the time was limited for her occupation in our 

 service. I believe, also, that the value of any survey made by private 

 individuals would not be recognised by the public as authentic, and 

 that to be really useful it should be conducted by Government, through 

 the medium of its own officers, aided by experienced fishermen, as well 

 as by men of science. A report formed on a survey of this kind 

 would be most valuable, particularly to those anxious to embark in 

 the fishery of the deep seas, and a knowledge of the position and of 

 the resources of the banks would, I have no doubt, tend to increase 

 the number of vessels of that size sufficient and capable for promoting 

 those fisheries. 



* Mr. Strangman, of Waterford, told me that he, as well as others, 

 would have embarked capital in providing vessels for carrying on the 

 deep sea fisheries of the Nymph Bank, but that they were deterred from 

 so doing, in consequence of the expense which a preliminary survey of 

 its position and productiveness would entail.* 



" Charts of fishing banks would contribute materially to the promo- 

 tion of the fisheries Government is now making a nautical survey of 

 the coast; and with a small additional expense the Admiralty survey- 

 ors could easily examine the several fishing banks, and by having 

 experienced fishermen with them, could not only set down the nature 

 of those banks, their soundings, currents, <kc. but also, by ' trying the 

 ground,' ascertain the kinds and quantities of fish resorting to them. 

 The resources and treasures of the deep being thus tested, an additional 

 stimulus for perseverance and exertion is thereby given the fisherman 

 no longer works in the dark as heretofore, but knows in what direction 



