396 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



prevailed as to the proper lights for drift vessels. Trawlers 

 everywhere were, and have ever since been in the habit of 

 carrying a white light at the masthead when at work. To 

 set this right, a joint committee was appointed by the 

 Admiralty, Board of Trade, and Trinity House, without 

 consulting the fishing interest in any way, to draw up fresh 

 regulations for fishing vessels' lights. These were adopted 

 by Austria, Belgium, Chili, Denmark, France, Germany, 

 Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, 

 Russia, Spain, Sweden, United States, and other smaller 

 states, and were directed by an Order in Council dated 1/j.th 

 August, 1879, to come into force on the 1st September, 1880. 

 They were briefly as follows : that a drift-boat at work 

 should carry on one of her masts two red lights in a vertical 

 line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart A 

 trawler at work should carry on one of her masts two 

 lights in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than 

 three feet apart, the upper light red, the lower green, and 

 should also carry the usual side-lights for sailing vessels 

 under weigh. On this becoming known to the fishing 

 trade, meetings were held strongly condemning the proposed 

 system, and memorials addressed to the Board of Trade 

 from the principal ports asking for -a reconsideration of this 

 proposed system, whereupon the then President of the 

 Board of Trade appointed a committee consisting of three 

 gentlemen, no doubt very able in their own particular way, 

 but, as was at the time admitted by each, totally unac- 

 quainted with the practical duties of fishermen or the 

 working of their vessels. 



In reply to questions put to them when being examined 

 by the select committee afterwards appointed, one gentleman 

 said he had no experience whatever as regards fishing in 

 trawlers or drifters. The second said, that not being a sailor 



