90 NORTH SEA FISHERS AND FIGHTERS 



assembled in time of gales to watch for the coming of 

 smacks to harbour, and the appearance of vessels which 

 might need pilots or a tow. If the weather allowed a 

 coble to get out, off a pilot would go, sometimes picking 

 up a five-pound note for the trouble of telling a master 

 his position or guiding him to a neighbouring port ; 

 or a steam-trawler would thrash out and get hold of 

 the lame duck. The "platform" was the rendezvous 

 of the old-time smacksmen and there were quaint 

 neighbouring inns to which they could withdraw, and 

 in whose cosy corners, over glasses of hot grog, they 

 could re-spin many a North Sea yarn. 



The "burning off" took place when it was con- 

 sidered unsafe for a smack to enter the harbour, owing 

 to the dangerous sea running. A great iron brazier was 

 placed on the top of the outer pier, and in it a big fire 

 made of wood. When the flames and smoke of this 

 device were seen a skipper knew that he was officially 

 forbidden to attempt to enter the harbour. Often 

 enough a smack would be kept dodging about in the 

 heavy sea for several tides. I remember seeing one, 

 in a winter gale, that was burnt off for five successive 

 tides, and for sixty hours she was wallowing and 

 thrashing about within a stone's throw of refuge, yet 

 forbidden to try and get the shelter of the harbour. 

 Occasionally a reckless or worn-out skipper defied the 

 warning, and made a dash for port. He usually 

 succeeded in entering safely. There is a famous tale 

 of one of the old-world skippers who saw the signal 

 burning, and defied it. He swore that he would get 

 into harbour, warning or no warning, and he made a 

 desperate dash for it. Fortune favoured his reckless- 



