THE BEAM-TRAWL. 267 



so that the pull from the warp shall move the trawl lightly 

 along the bottom, but without raising it from the ground, 

 If then there be too little warp allowed and there be not 

 slope enough, the pull will be too much upward, and the 

 net will be lifted ; but if, on the other hand, there be too much 

 warp, the trawl-irons and net will be dragged too much on 

 the ground, and the friction will be greatly increased. One 

 of the conditions on which this regulation depends is the 

 amount of wind ; for if there be very little breeze to drive 

 the vessel along, the friction of the net and irons on the 

 bottom may be sufficient to stop her way entirely. In such 

 a case, very little extra warp is required, so that the lifting 

 power may be increased, and the friction over the ground 

 lessened. But if there be a great deal of wind, which will 

 drive the vessel along even with comparatively little sail, 

 and especially if, as in such a case is likely to occur, there 

 is a good deal of sea, and the strain on the warp becomes 

 irregular and jerking, then more warp is allowed to 

 counteract the tendency there is to lift the net off the 

 ground. This, as has been said before, is a matter of 

 experience ; and the ready way in which these rough 

 fishermen make their calculations, often, we may venture to 

 say, without being able to explain their reasons, is shown 

 by the successful manner in which they commonly fish in all 

 kinds of weather. There is no other kind of sea-fishing 

 which requires so much skill as deep-sea trawling ; as, 

 independently of the necessary knowledge of the ground to 

 be trawled over, hours may be wasted unless attention is 

 given to the proper management of the net from the 

 moment at which it is put overboard. 



We have spoken of the construction of the beam-trawl, 

 and the way in which it is managed when it is being used ; 

 we may now say a few words about the action of the trawl 



