140 NORTH SEA FISHERS AND FIGHTERS 



latest inventions, vessels on which neither money nor 

 skill has been spared. 



Wireless telegraphy, or some more modern method of 

 communication between the fleets and the land, will be 

 surely adopted if only because the Germans have set 

 the lead and if the necessities of trawling demand a 

 revolution in the methods of propelling vessels and 

 working gear, then it is certain that the change from 

 steam will be made. 



At present, however, steam, the conqueror, rules 

 the North Sea fishing industry. Even as I write, the 

 ancient and venerable art of crabbing has been assailed 

 by the triumphant engine. For almost unnumbered 

 generations that class, which is known as the " Grimsby- 

 Sheringham " fishers, has remained faithful to the open 

 boat for crabbing and line-fishing, according to the 

 seasons, off the Yorkshire coast. They have scorned to 

 deviate from the ways of their fathers ; but now experi- 

 ments are being made for inshore fishing from Grimsby, 

 and steam has been applied to an old motor-launch so 

 as to allow the craft to be used for crabbing and line- 

 fishing. If the experiment succeeds, as it doubtless 

 will, we may in our own day and generation find it 

 needful to bid good-bye to the quaint and quiet ways of 

 potting and lining from little old-world harbours, such 

 as those which still exist on the Yorkshire and other 

 north-east coasts. We shall know the sadness of 

 saying farewell to the ancient mariners who steer crab- 

 pot-laden donkeys up the rough face of the North 

 Landing at Flamborough, and tell you of the brave 

 days of the Smugglers' Cave, and of the Smuggle-Hole 

 in T'Oard Ship at Filey. 



