WITH A LOWESTOFT DRIFTER 137 



the hardest-driven of any in British waters, and this may 

 well be so, for on both main and mizzen they carry 

 enormous jackyard topsails, and the Lowestoftman will 

 hold on to these in strong winds which make it needful 

 for lesser sails to be taken in. 



"Yes, these drifters are fine boats," our skipper 

 says, " an' bein' what they are, we are pretty safe in 

 them, an' when it breezes up too much, we can run in 

 to port an' get away from the weather. The deep-sea 

 trawlers can't do that ; they're out on the Dogger and 

 have to stick it through, be the weather what it will. 

 No, I've no mind to go. All my thirty year have been 

 spent in driftin' beginnin' in June or so, goin' north to 

 meet the herrin', an' followin' on 'em south back to 

 Lowestoft, an' workin' 'em till Christmas. It's bitter 

 cruel work in the cold late autumn an' the winter, an' 

 I've had many a narrow squeak. I've seen drifters 

 founder with all hands; but I've allus got safe back. 

 It's no good stayin' out when the wind an' sea are too 

 strong, for you lose both nets an' labour ; but com- 

 petition gets that fierce you're forced to do as others 

 do an' some of 'em hang on to the weather till there's 

 scarcely no chance to get away in safety. An' when 

 they hang on you've got to hang on too, for fear o' bein' 

 left. It would never do to run back without herrin' 

 an' find 'at other fishermen had stuck on an' got some." 



When the drifters used to go to sea the urchins 

 followed them along the haven, singing 



Herrings galore ; 



Pray, Master 



Gay Master 



Luff the little herring boat ashore. 



