272 IMPROVEMENT OF FISHING-BOATS. 



of an open door at the side. 2nd. By making the usual 

 compartment at the stern also water-ti'ght. 3rd. By running 

 a side deck along either side, as in barges and in some of 

 the smaller class of yachts, called well-boats. Thus leaving a 

 large open main hatchway, of sufficient size for conveniently 

 working the nets, yet which, by the aid of coamings and hatches, 

 and a water-tight tarpaulin, stowed away in the hold or forecabin 

 in fine weather, could in a few minutes, on the occurrence of 

 bad weather, be securely covered over so that no water could 

 get access to the hold on a heavy sea breaking over the boat. 



The inspection of a common coasting-barge with her hatches 

 on and covered over, will convey an exact idea of the simple 

 manner in which the above arrangements are carried out. 



The size of these boats, viz. length 40 feet, width 14 feet, 

 depth amidships 7 feet, has been selected as the most convenient 

 size for use both in line and net fishing. A sixth boat, however, 

 45 feet long by 1 5 feet wide, is about to be built for Anstruther, 

 where the fishing-boats go as far as 100 miles from the land to 

 fish, and have lines on board of the total length of 23,500 yards, 

 or nearly 13^ miles, which require a large space to stow them 

 away all coiled in baskets, besides a cargo of fish. 



The Committee of the National Life-boat Institution 

 entertain sanguine hopes that this experiment will be ultimately 

 productive of much benefit, both by saving life and property. 



In conclusion, it may be stated that the National Life-boat 

 Institution has been engaged during the last two or three years 

 in perfecting this model of the safety fishing-boat. Captain 

 J. R. Ward, R.N., its Inspector of Life-boats, has visited during 

 that period some of the principal fishing stations on the coast 

 of the United Kingdom, with the view of eliciting from the 

 most experienced fishermen practical suggestions, to be incor- 

 porated in the construction of the boat; so that thus she may 

 be correctly termed an omnium gatherum safety fishing-boat. 

 It may also be mentioned that the drawings of the boat have 

 been furnished by Mr. Joseph Prowse, of Her Majesty's dock- 

 yard, Woolwich, who, with the kind permission of the Ad- 

 miralty, superintends the building of all the life-boats of the 

 Institution. 



