ARMED TRAWLERS AND SALVAGE 



followed by a second snap and a more perilous posi- 

 tion for the helpless tug. 



The stern fight went on, a fight which had be- 

 come first of all a question of saving fellow-creatures 

 who were almost at the last extremity. 



For the third time, ami, as it proved, the last time, 

 a hawser was made fast, and with this fresh good 

 start, and the combined skill and seamanship of the 

 trawlerman and the tugman both vessels safely 

 reached port. 



This was an exceptionally creditable piece of 

 work, and there was little doubt that if it had not 

 been for the persistent efforts of the fishermen the 

 tug would have been lost with all hands. 



In the special circumstances the case was one of 

 salvage, and it seemed likely that the Courts would 

 have to settle the matter, but finally an arrangement 

 was made without unduly calling in the law ; but 

 more than two 3'ears passed before the trawlermen, 

 who had done so well, received the proper acknow- 

 ledgment of their valuable services. 



Not long after that splendid performance on the 

 Irish Sea the fishing vessel, a ver} r fine example of 

 her class, manned by a fittingly fine skipper and 

 crew, was taken over by the Admiralty ; the skipper 

 was absorbed in the Navy, and his crew also became 

 members of the great army of sweepers and patrol- 

 lers. 



The war raised many important questions of sal- 

 vage law, and cases that were heard in the Courts 

 had features of special interest, while it was through 



