THE BEAM- TRA WL. 255 



the net itself will be almost necessary to enable its con- 

 struction to be clearly understood. 



THE BEAM-TRAWL. 



The Beam-trawl is a triangular, flat, purse-shaped net, 

 with its wide mouth kept extended by a horizontal wooden 

 spar called the "beam," which is raised a short distance 

 from the ground by two iron supports or " heads," one at 

 each end ; the upper edge of the mouth of the net being 

 fastened to the beam, and the under portion or lower edge 

 of the opening dragging on the ground as the net is towed 

 over the bottom. The size of the net used depends very 

 much on that of the vessel that has to tow it, and the 

 length of the beam of course varies with the size of the net. 

 The total length of the net is usually rather more than 

 twice that of the beam. In the large trawl vessels or 

 " smacks," as they are generally called, the beam ranges 

 from 36 to 50 feet in length, and the net in corresponding 

 proportions. As there is an enormous strain on the beam 

 when the net is at work, great care is necessary to select a 

 good piece of wood for it, Elm is generally preferred, 

 chosen if possible from timber grown of the proper thick- 

 ness, that the natural strength of the wood may not be 

 lessened by any more trimming or chipping than is 

 absolutely necessary. If the required length and thickness 

 cannot be obtained in one piece, two pieces are scarfed 

 together and the joint secured by iron bands. Appearance 

 here is not of so much' consequence as strength and 

 toughness to resist the strain to which the beam is exposed. 

 It will be understood from what has been said that the 

 purse-shaped net has one of its flat sides on the ground, 

 and the mouth is kept extended by the beam lying across 

 it ; but in order to give room for the fish to enter, the 



