THE NEWFOUNDLAND COD FISHERY 73 



nape and tail, salt being liberally sprinkled between the 

 adjacent layers. Nearly H bushels of salt are used per 

 100 Ibs. of fish. The pickle formed by the salt ana the 

 juices of the fish drains away to the bottom of the 

 hold, from which it is pumped overboard. As the 

 kench or pile settles, more fish are added, so as to keep 

 the compartment full. Kenching begins in the forward 

 compartment of the hold, and is carried on from side 

 to side of the vessel. Each kench is about 4 ft. by 

 7 ft., and the full height of the hold. The refuse is 

 thrown overboard. 



In addition to the " trawl " fishing, many boats use 

 hand-lines. For this purpose, the lines are somewhat 

 smaller, and only 13 ft. long. About 100 barrels of 

 bait are taken (slack-salted clams obtained on the coast 

 of Maine), any additional bait that may be required 

 being caught on the fishing grounds squids, hagdens, 

 and clams taken from the stomachs of fish. 



When the vessel reaches the fishing grounds, the 

 dories row away in all directions, each man for himself. 

 The dory is anchored in water from 18 to 40 fathoms 

 deep. Each fisherman uses two lines carrying two 

 hooks a piece. The boats generally go out at sunrise and 

 return to the fishing boat about six hours later. Two 

 boatloads that is, 2,000 Ibs. of fish make a good 

 day's work. 



On returning to the vessel the fish are pitched on 

 deck and counted, only cod of over 22 ins. length being 

 considered. Smaller fish, and the " shack " pollack, 

 haddock, cusk and hake being counted separately. 

 The fish are then dressed and salted, as already 

 described. 



In some cases, hand-line fishing is carried on from the 

 deck of the fishing boat itself, while the boat drifts. Each 

 man uses one line carrying two hooks. The bait 



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