xii INTRODUCTION 



A long study of the deep-sea fishers of the east 

 coast, on which I was a resident for some years, and 

 visits to past and present fleets, with many other 

 expeditions afloat, have enabled me to accumulate 

 much original information with regard to these fine 

 fellows' lives and work, and this I have freely used. 



It is not easy to get first-hand knowledge from the 

 deep-sea fisherman, who is neither vain nor loquacious. 

 All I could glean from one man who witnessed the 

 outrage by Russian warships in the Gamecock Fleet 

 was " It were fair chronic." On the Dogger, after a 

 haul, I asked a skipper for details of his bag. " Why," 

 he answered slowly, " they're what you might call 

 smallish big." Beyond that he could not go. But 

 from time to time I have had many willing and able 

 helpers afloat and ashore, amongst the latter being 

 Mr. George Appleyard, who was for many years 

 harbour-master at Scarborough, one of the oldest of 

 east coast fishing ports. When writing of other 

 matters I have sought details only from the best 

 sources, most of which are mentioned in their proper 

 places. 



Although I have not dealt with the many quaint 

 and fascinating inshore fishers of the east coast, nor 

 done more than make a selection from events with 

 which naval men and more peaceful warriors have been 

 associated, still the work will, I hope, give a broad idea 

 of what the North Sea has been and is, and what its 

 boundless harvests mean to us as a people. 



