256 APPARATUS FOR FISHING. 



beam and with it the back or upper edge of the mouth of 

 the net fastened to it must be raised a certain distance 

 from the ground. For this purpose each end of the beam 

 is fastened to the top of an iron frame, shaped something 

 like an irregularly formed stirrup, which is fitted to it at a 

 right angle by a square socket at the top. By these iron 

 frames, called " heads or irons," the beam is raised about 

 three feet from the ground, and, contrary to the popular 

 idea, never touches the bottom. It could do so only if the 

 net and beam were to reach the ground with the back 

 undermost, and then the mouth of the net would close and 

 no fish could enter. The lower part of the trawl-head or 

 iron is straight and flat, just like the corresponding part of 

 a stirrup. It is called the " shoe," and is the part which 

 slides over the ground as the net and beam are towed 

 along. There is some slight variation in the shape of the 

 irons used on different parts of the coast. What is called 

 the Barking pattern is quite symmetrical and stirrup-like 

 in shape, and is used by the Barking and many of the 

 Great Yarmouth trawlers ; but at Brixham, Grimsby, Hull, 

 and most other of our stations the back of the trawl-iron is 

 made straight and sloping backward to the heel of the 

 " shoe," thus giving greater length to that part of the iron 

 which rests on the ground, and consequently, it is thought, 

 more steadiness. Other devices, both foreign and British, 

 for keeping the beam off the ground, will be observed 

 among the trawl-heads in this Exhibition. 



The purse-shaped net consists of several portions, each 

 having its own name. An old-fashioned bed watch-pocket 

 laid on its face will give a very good idea of a trawl, when 

 in a position for working. What is then its upper surface 

 is called the " back," and the under portion the " belly " of 

 the net. The straight front edge of the back, or " square " 



