300 DREDGING AND TRAWLING 



eased slowly away, and the ship brought up on her 

 course. In most cases it will be necessary to trice 

 the warp up to the after hawse pipe, to keep it clear of 

 the propellers. As has already been mentioned under 

 " Dredging," it is advisable to start shooting with the 

 ship's head about four points to starboard of her 

 course, so that she may be straightened up directly 

 the gear has gone away clear. It is necessary to keep 

 a steady strain on the warp, and to check it repeatedly 

 as it is being paid out. Neglect of this precaution is 

 the most frequent cause of a foul shot. When a sufficient 

 length has been given, the warp is made fast (as in 

 dredging) by means of a rope stop or by a nipper 

 (p. 276). 



The trawl is generally fished for from one and a 

 half to two and a half hours. By holding the warp 

 it is possible, in moderate depths, to feel the gear 

 working its way along. With a little practice a useful 

 estimate of the nature of the bottom can be formed by 

 this means. If the trawl hitches and the stop parts, 

 the net should be hauled at once. If it still remains 

 fast, lead the warp to the bow, go astern and pull it 

 backwards off the obstruction. 



Hauling small beam trawls is not difficult. The 

 warp is reeled in until the spans appear, and each 

 span is separately hauled by hand until the beam and 

 irons are got on board ; the net may then be hauled 

 in, foot rope first. This procedure cannot be applied 

 to larger patterns (with beam more than 15 feet in 

 length), for in these makes the weight is too great to 

 admit of the spans being hauled by hand. The addi- 

 tion of a " beam rope " is almost essential in such 

 cases, and it is also advisable to step a stout davit with 

 a snatch-block on the port quarter. The " beam rope " 

 is in reality a third span, used only in hauling. It is 



