126 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



being placed in appropriate places. Smacks with wells in 

 them were first used in England at Harwich, about A.D. 

 1712, said to have been copied from some Dutch fishing 

 boats. This well, as now made, is not simply a tank fitted 

 into the smack, but a constituent portion of the vessel 

 itself. Two strong and water-tight bulkheads are con- 

 structed across the width of the smack, enclosing a large 

 portion of the centre of the vessel, while they reach in 

 height from the deck to the keelson. Large holes are 

 bored through the sides of the smack below the water-line, 

 permitting a constant stream being kept up. Here cx)d 

 captured at a moderate depth will live for a considerable 

 time, but should they or ling have been hooked at a great 

 depth, they will not usually thrive. Rough weather is very 

 detrimental to fishes in welled smacks, occasioning many 

 deaths. A plan is likewise adopted for keeping cod alive 

 after arriving in port, by transferring them to cod-chests, 

 which are kept floating in docks or other suitable places. 

 Those at Grimsby and Harwich are about 7 feet long 

 and 2 deep, the bottom and sides being made of stout 

 battens, placed a short distance asunder in order to admit 

 a constant penetration of water from outside. The top is 

 planked, but possesses an oblong opening and movable 

 cover for introducing or removing the fish. To the ends of 

 each cod-chest ropes or chains are attached in order to 

 easily move it about. About forty good-sized cod will live 

 about a fortnight in one of these chests, and about four 

 hundred are constantly in use at Grimsby. For sending to 

 market, the cod are removed, killed by blows on the head 

 with a mallet or short club, and then sent to London, where 

 they are known as " live cod," and attain the highest price. 

 Owing to the method employed in killing them, they can 

 be crimped some hours subsequently. 





