400 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



committees, on being shown a trawling smack, asked 

 the question, "Where are the yards?" things entirely 

 unknown in our English trawlers. Again, when the latter 

 part of article 7 of the existing Regulations is con- 

 sidered, which runs as follows : " Fishing vessels and open 

 boats when at anchor or attached to their nets and 

 stationary shall exhibit a bright white light," how absurd it 

 appears ; for what craft are there that are ever stationary 

 when attached to their nets ? for even in a calm a trawler 

 will have her gear at her side, and a drifter will be drifting 

 with the tide ; it would only occur in the exceptional case of 

 a trawler fast to a wreck or rock or otherwise ; and this 

 article is the only one referring to fishing vessels, and was 

 evidently intended originally to apply to them when at 

 work and practically helpless. It was evidently meant to 

 convey that all vessels under command must avoid them. 

 There can be no doubt that many a fishing vessel has been 

 run down and sunk from either of the following causes : 

 1st. The frequent practice of ships trying to get close to 

 fishermen to ascertain the bearings of the nearest headland, 

 and in doing so running them down. 2nd. The practice 

 of many steamers not altering their course till the very 

 last moment, and driving against time in thick or clear 

 weather ; as it frequently occurs that when masters of 

 steamers make slow passages, they are politely informed 

 that their services are no longer required, and so they are 

 virtually forced to this driving "It is not compulsory 

 only they must." When these go-a-head steam vessels 

 ,are required to answer smartly to their helms, they 

 will not always do so, and the consequence is that 

 the fishing vessels get sunk and no more heard of. If 

 these two practices were given up, fishermen would 

 run considerably less risk of collisions. As regards look 



