262 APPARATUS FOR FISHING. 



then not remarkable for fast sailing. Sea-going qualities 

 were especially necessary in vessels which had to work in 

 rough weather, and often at some distance from any 

 harbour. The improvements in modern ship-building have 

 not been, however, lost sight of, and the great and in- 

 creasing demand for fish, and the long distances from land 

 at which trawlers now work in the North Sea, have led to 

 the construction of larger vessels, capable of working much 

 heavier nets, and with much finer proportions, so as to give 

 greatly increased speed so that the fish may be brought to 

 market with as little delay as possible. The large main- 

 sail in these smacks has great driving power, and is there- 

 fore a very important sail ; but the increase in the size of 

 the vessels has made a change of rig desirable so as to be 

 able to work them without proportionately adding to the 

 expenses. The larger mainsail in these new vessels would 

 require additional hands to look after it in bad weather, 

 when a heavy boom is likely to strain everything to the 

 utmost ; and fishing is a pursuit in which expenses must 

 be closely looked after. This sail has accordingly been 

 reduced in size, and a mizen mast has been added on 

 which a small gaff-sail is carried. By this plan a proper 

 quantity of sail can be carried, but the great pressure on 

 it is brought lower down, and consequently it is more 

 manageable and causes less strain on the vessel. The new 

 trawlers are built of greater proportionate length than 

 formerly, and this gives them greater speed. This new 

 "ketch" rig, as it is called, is generally adopted at the 

 great North Sea stations, Hull, Grimsby and Yarmouth, 

 and is gradually coming into fashion at Brixham and other 

 Channel ports. One important advantage in the increased 

 size of these fishing vessels is the additional room provided 

 on board. This not only adds to the comfort of the crew, 



