COD FISHERY. 6l 



veffels, they are accordingly authorized to fifh on 

 Dogger's bank ; but, as it is near Holland, the 

 Dutch refort to it more than any other nation. 

 They have veffels, of from 60 to 80 tuns, befides 

 fmaller, that make two or three voyages a year 

 for this purpofe. Some of them continue fifhing 

 there for five or fix months without interruption > 

 in which cafe they fend the fmall veflels with the 

 fifh, to different ports of Holland. Others quit 

 this fifhery in September, to go in purfuit of her- 

 rings at Yarmouth, and afterwards return to Dog- 

 ger's bank; never returning home, but when they 

 are forced by bad weather, or by want of provi- 

 fions, or when they have made up their cargoes. 



Although this bank is about fifty leagues from 

 the coaft of Holland, yet they bring live cod-fifli 

 over, by means of well-boats ; fome of which 

 contain one thoufand cods ; but care mufl be taken, 

 that the fifh has not been too much hurt by the 

 large hooks, that they ufe in this fifhery. However, 

 it is well known 5 that having carefully taken out 

 a hook, that had dragged the ftomach out of the 

 mouth, and having replaced the ftomach in the 

 fifh, by means of the end of a ftiiFrope, the cod did 

 not die in the boat ; but they fay, that in this ope- 

 ration the ftomach becomes full of air, which would 

 kill the fifh, if vent were not given it, by piercing 

 the ftomach with a fmall pointed knife under the 

 gill ; and, when the air has been let out, they put 

 the fifh in the boat along with the reft, 



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