Heligoland. 169 



containing often as many as 200 each, the fish being either for local use, or are sent to the 

 Continent, where Heligoland lobsters are greatly prized. It is estimated that to obtain these 

 results 4000 lobster pots (model to be seen with sloop) are in use, value about 4s. each. The 

 heavy gales to which we are so subject do great injury to these pots, so that the occupation is 

 not so remunerative as it would seem. The average price realized for lobsters per Ib. is from 

 lid. to Is. 6cZ. 



Oysters. The Heligoland Oyster Bank is let to a contractor ; it is fished from September 

 to March by the sloops, aided by rudder boats, on a bank about three miles to the eastward of 

 the island, dredges being used. It has yielded but 130,000 of late years, mainly owing to 

 disagreements between the contractor and the fishermen. The price paid is 7 marks per 

 thousand delivered to the contractor's agent in the island. 



Fishing grounds. The Haddock fishing grounds are from the N. through W. to S.E. of 

 the island at from eight to forty miles from it. 



The Lobsters are caught on the reefs that extend N.S. and W. of the Main and Sandy 

 Island to a distance of about four miles. 



Use of fish. The Heligolanders live almost entirely on fish, a meat meal being of rare 

 occurrence. Fish is not used as manure, neither is it cured for export or for sale. 



Fishermen. By last census there were 307 returned as fishermen ; the entire population, 

 however, could be almost included (out of the bathing season) in this category, as old men and 

 children aid in preparing lines, &c., which are cleaned, carried, and baited by the women. 



Colonial Aid. No special action in aid of fishermen, on the part of the Colonial 

 Government, is possible in the present impoverished state of its finances. 



Benefit Societies. When our fleet was nearly destroyed in 1878 a subscription was started 

 in Germany in aid of the fishermen, which realized 1535 ; from this loans without interest 

 were given to the sufferers. The balance with the interests thereon and the repayments as 

 above amounts now to 840, which sum is allowed to accumulate till it reaches 1000, when 

 it is to form the capital of an assurance fund or benefit society started at the same time to aid 

 in repairing future disasters ; to it the fishermen contribute : 



Autumn fishing: for each 100 (7 score) of fish 1 M. = l shilling; 100 oysters 5 Pfennig, 

 about \d. 



Spring fishing : each sloop, 15 shillings ; each rudder boat, 12 shillings ; each middle boat, 

 8 shillings ; each lobster boat. 4 shillings. 



The amount subscribed up to date is 460 10s.; the amount spent in particular aid, 

 452 10s. ; in hand, 8. 



Should the society dissolve, then the money is to be divided among the subscribers, with 

 the exception of the capital of 1000, which is to remain for ever at interest for the benefit of 

 old fishermen and their widows. 



Final Bemarks. Though the waters of the North Sea abound in fish, and often fleets 

 of hundreds of English, German and Dutch smacks are in sight of the island, the Heligo- 

 landers, though yielding to none as fishermen, cannot participate in the riches which God has 

 brought to their door, for without a harbour they can but use vessels such as can be hauled up 

 in bad weather, and therefore such as preclude them from going far to sea to earn their daily 

 bread. T. O'BRIEN, Lieut.-Col, 



Governor. 



DIVISION I. 



LUHRS, KILMER, Heligoland. Fishing line in tray, complete. 



DIVISION II. 



LUHRS, HILMER, Heligoland. (1) Lobster Pot. (2) Model of a 



Lobster box. 



DIVISION IV. 



JASPERS, PAUL A., Boatbuilders, Heligoland. Model of a Heligoland 

 Fishing Slope with all necessaries for fishing. 



DIVISION V. 

 GAETHES, H,, Heligoland. Bipy, invented by the Exhibitor. 



