SMACKS AND TRAWLS 67 



years' experience, said that when he first went to sea 

 the boats were about one-third their present size. 

 In 1812 every boat brought in more white fish than 

 they could carry. A boat's crew was not so well off 

 at the time he spoke as thirty years previously. In one 

 year, about 1825, he made ^126, but a few years back 

 he earned only ^78. For the last five years his average 

 for the white-fishing was about ^50, and an additional 

 ^50 might be made from the herring-fishing. The 

 cost of a line-boat with fittings was about ^o, but 

 a herring-boat with nets cost not less than 100. 

 He calculated that a young man ought to earn 

 ;ioo a year. A full third of that amount would be 

 neccessary to maintain the boat and tackle. The 

 boats lasted about fourteen years. 



In the old trawling days poetical, romantic, and 

 sentimental names were freely chosen for the smacks, 

 and some of these are still borne by craft that sail 

 lazily from quiet ports in the summer-time, or go to 

 sea in a freshening breeze, solely for single-boating. 

 There is still something of romance and poetry in 

 such a vessel as the Tranquillity, as she tumbles over 

 the blue waters, Dogger-bound, from an old-world 

 Yorkshire harbour, with the smoke curling from her 

 galley, and her crew in brown jumpers that match 

 the deep tan of the sails. There are the Wayside 

 Flower, Star of Hope, Eye of Providence, Good Design, 

 Piety, Brotherly Love, the Radiant, and the Venture, to 

 keep the Tranquillity company ; while from other North 

 Sea ports there still venture forth, dependent on their 

 canvas, the Early Blossom, the True Vine, Lily of 

 the Valley, Happy Return, Emmanuel, Boy Ben one 



