THE SEA FISH OF TRINIDAD AS SEA-FOOD 37 



The waters round Trinidad are teeming with edible fish, 

 and their exploitation conducted in an intelligent manner 

 should be productive of the best results, not only in ensuring 

 a cheap and plentiful supply of good food for the masses, but 

 also excellent profits to the prosecutors of the industry. 

 By the Trade Returns for the year ending March 31, 1908, I 

 note we imported over ;^8o,ooo in salted and smoked fish, 

 principally from Canada, but I also see there was close upon 

 ;£5,ooo expended in salted fish imported from Venezuela, 

 and this must have been mainly for salted king-fish and 

 mackerel, both which fish abound in our seas. For the past 

 few years I have been gathering information from people 

 engaged in the fishing industries of Great Britain as to the 

 cost of boats, gear, etc., for steam-trawls, and have much 

 pleasure in transcribing these notes here for the benefit of 

 those who may take an active interest in developing our sea- 

 food resources, for which I estimate a working capital of 

 $20,000 to $30,000 would be ample. One estimate I re- 

 ceived for a steam trawler reads as follows : — 



" She is Clyde built and practically new. Hull of wood. 

 Frames natural crook oak. Keel 10 in. x6 in. of elm. Planking 

 in three thicknesses (diagonal) two of teak and one mahogany 

 above elm below. Yellow metal fastening. 62 ft. over all, 

 51 ft. 6 in. BP by 12 ft. 6 in. beam. 7 ft. deep. Draws 5 ft. 

 aft, 3 ft. forward. New twin-screw engines. 

 Two 5i" cylinders 8" stroke 

 " 10" 

 New horizontal Return Tube boiler 6 ft. x 6 ft. for 100 lbs. 

 working pressure. Speed 10 knots. Bunkers for 12 tons. 

 Bums 8 to 12 cwt. for 24 hrs. Forecastle for three men and 

 berth for one in Engine Room. The Cabin 8 ft. x 10 ft. to 

 sleep 6 hands. After Cabin to sleep 4, pantry, lavatory, etc., 

 small deck-house. Steam windlass. 2 masts. Schooner 

 rig. Cutwater bow. 6 ft. head-room under cabin beams. 



Price £1600 



Complete Trawl Gear £ 200" 



I also received an estimate from an experienced master 

 regarding the cost of bringing out the vessel from the Clyde 



