120 LIFE INSURANCE FOR FISHERMEN, 



coasts. The desirability, however, of their doing so, every 

 one of them, cannot be too strongly impressed upon them, 

 and upon their wives, some of whom are, unfortunately, so 

 careless and improvident, that they frequently neglect to 

 keep up the trifling payments which would secure to them 

 and their families the very great benefits which these 

 Societies offer to them. 



Fishermen, also, should be induced to abstain from all 

 reckless conduct whilst at sea, and to wear life-belts when 

 engaged in ferrying fish, or when performing any other 

 peculiarly-dangerous duty. Familiarity with the sea breeds 

 contempt for its dangers ; and, unfortunately, the spirit of 

 bravado tempts many fishermen to ridicule those of their 

 comrades who are careful and cautious. This is the true 

 reason why so few fishermen will wear life-belts ; for it is a 

 well-known fact that, although owners at their own expense 

 have frequently provided such safeguards for their crews, 

 the men themselves have refused to avail themselves of 

 such liberality, and in some instances the belts have been 

 wantonly destroyed or thrown overboard. Fishermen 

 should also be encouraged to protect themselves in some 

 degree by learning to swim, for it is a remarkable fact that 

 a large proportion of them cannot swim. Fatal accidents at 

 sea frequently occur through recklessness or carelessness ; 

 and many a fisherman who is now drowned would escape 

 with simply a wetting if he only knew how to swim. 

 Whether it would be wise to compel every fisherman say 

 every fisherman under twenty years of age to pass an 

 examination in swimming, it would be difficult to say, but, 

 at all events, special facilities and inducements should be 

 afforded and offered them for the acquiring of so .healthful 

 and valuable an art. The several points I have here 

 referred to might be argued and illustrated in great detail, 



