430 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



which the "sardine-herring" are secured, it will be described in detail in the chapter on the ear- 

 dine industry. 



FISHING WITH GILL -NETS. The gill-nets used in the herring fishery are from 15 to 20 fathoms 

 long, 2 to 3 fathoms deep, and have a inesh varying from 2| to 2f inches. They are usually made 

 of cotton twine, the weight varying considerably in different localities. Hemp nets were formerly 

 extensively used, but cotton is found to answer the purpose equally well, and is much cheaper. 

 The nets to be used on the principal spawning grounds, where the fish are known to occur in 

 immense schools, are usually made of strong and comparatively coarse twine, as they are liable to 

 be so heavily loaded with fish that those of light weight would be ruined in a single night. Along 

 other portions of the coast, where the fish are less abundant, nets of finer material are often 

 employed. 



In former years the webbing was usually knit by the wives and children of the fishermen, and 

 this is done to a limited extent at the present time, though most of the fishermen have come to use 

 machine-knit webbing, which they buy from the net factories of the principal cities. 



When the webbing is ready it is hung to small doable lines of opposite lays, about one-third 

 of the length of the net being taken up in hanging, so that a piece of webbing 30 fathoms long 

 will make a net of 20 fathoms when hung. After the net has been properly tanned or tarred and 

 hung to these double lines a heavier cork-rope, supplied with egg-shaped wooden floats or with 

 corks, is made fast to the upper margin. The floats are placed at distances varying from 2J to 4 

 feet, according to their size and the strength of the current in which the nets are to be used. Small 

 leaden sinkers are sometimes attached to the bottom, but more frequently oblong stones are used, 

 these being more readily obtained and as easily fastened by means of small loop-lines. In the 

 vicinity of Eastport iron anchors varying from 20 to 50 pounds are generally employed. On some 

 parts of the coast the fishermen use stone killicks. These as a rule must be considerably heavier 

 to answer the same purpose. 



Several nets are usually fastened together and set in one string, though in some instances 

 they are set separately. Where the current is strong they are usually anchored at only one end, 

 the other being allowed to swing with the tide, but in still water an anchor is ordinarily placed at 

 either end of the string. Large buoys are attached to either end of each net to assist in holding 

 it up and to mark its position in the water. In addition to these, larger watch-buoys are attached 

 to either end of the string, to provide against the loss of the nets in case they should be carried to 

 the bottom by the weight of the fish. The watch-buoys have lines of sufficient length, so that if 

 the nets should be sunk the buoy will still float on the surface and enable the fishermen to secure 

 them. The buoys in general use are made of spruce or other light wood, and, on account of their 

 shape, are known as " spar-buoys." Those to be placed at the end of each net are usually 3 to 5 

 feet in length and from 6 to 8 inches in diameter, while the watch-buoys are proportionately larger. 

 Where the current is weak and a large catch is expected pine kegs are frequently employed. 



Toward the close of the afternoon a busy scene is presented at Wood Island. The men are 

 now engaged in transferring the nets to the small boats, and soon after they may be seen making 

 their way out of the harbor, some sailing and others pulling vigorously at the oars. After reaching 

 the fishing ground, which is some 2 or 3 miles distant, the fishermen select their berth and begin 

 setting their nets. One man rows the boat in the desired direction, which may be either with or 

 across the tide, while the other throws out the nets. There is frequently a lively competition 

 among the fishermen as to who shall secure the best berth, and it is not uncommonly the case that 

 they will row about for a considerable time in search of " signs of fish " before deciding exactly 

 where to locate for the night. 



