POUND-NET FISHERY OF GEEAT LAKES. 759 



The Green Bay " pound-net " boats are large, flat-bottomed, and broad of beam. Their 

 average length is about 28 feet, their breadth of beam 9 feet, and their depth about 42 inches. 

 They will carry from 60 to 80 half-barrels offish, a safe load being 70 half-barrels, or about 10,500 

 pounds. They are usually sloop rigged and carry long, heavy masts. They are constructed of 

 rough boards, and commonly built by the fishermen. On each side of the center-board there is 

 usually a covered bin. 



These boats are moderately fast sailers, are very safe, and can run in 6 inches of water. 

 When the nets are to be lifted they are taken into the bowl. 



Various modifications are made in the shape and rigging of the pound-net boats in other 

 localities. On the east shore of Green Bay they have no masts, being propelled entirely by oars. 

 On the west shore of Lake Michigan, in the vicinity of Two Rivers, some have but one mast and 

 a gafl'-sail, while others have two masts. They are also somewhat better built than those in use 

 in Green Bay, and are employed only in lifting the nets or when driving the stakes. Between 

 Two Rivers and Port Washington again the boats are without masts. In the vicinity of Grand 

 and Little Traverse Bays, on the east shore of Lake Michigan, some have masts and are rigged 

 like Mackinaw boats, while others, particularly in Grand Traverse Bay, are without masts. The 

 same obtains in the Straits of Mackinaw. In Lake Huron most of the boats are schooner rigged. 

 At the west end of Lake Erie they are commonly used in transporting the fish. At Port Clinton, 

 Sandusky, and Huron the boats are of fine model and large, and generally carry two mast?. 

 Many of them are 30 feet long and have a breadth of 10 feet, and will carry from 7 to 10 tons. 

 The masts are from 35 to 40 feet high. At Bronhelm Bay the boats have two masts and are 

 furnished with a gaff-topsail, but in the same sheet as the main sails. No jibs are employed. 

 The Painesville and Willoughby boats are among the best on the lakes. They vary in length 

 from 28 to 34 feet, and are 4 feet deep. They carry two masts. 



The average value of the " pound-net" boats, at least those having masts and sails, is about 

 $200. 



Many Mackinaw boats are also employed in the pound-net fishery, particularly at Marquette, 

 Lake Superior, and at Two Rivers, on the west shore of Lake Michigan. They are better adapted 

 for cruising than the " pound-net " boats. Regarding the model and peculiarities of this boat, 

 Milner says: * " The famous 'Mackinaw' of the lakes has bow and stern sharp, a great deal of sheer, 

 the greatest beam forward of amidships, and tapers with little curve to the stern. She is either 

 schooner rig, or with a lug-sail forward, is fairly fast, the greatest surf-boat known, and with an 

 experienced boatman will ride out any storm, or, if necessary, beach with greater safety than any 

 other boat. She is comparatively dry, and her sharp stern prevents the shipment of water aft 

 when running with the sea. They have been longer and more extensively used on the upper 

 lakes than any other boats, and with less loss of life or accident. The objection to the more gen- 

 eral use of the Mackinaw is that her narrowness aft affords too little room for storage." 



At Waukegan scows about 22 feet in length and 8 feet in breadth are employed. They carry 

 6 tons and are worth only about $GO. A small boat, known as the "anchor" boat, is also used 

 here in drawing the stakes and removing the fish. 



Steam tugs are employed in the vicinity of the Straits of Mackinaw, at Escanaba, Green Bay, 

 and in several fisheries on the west shore of Lake Michigan and the Beaver Islands, in connection 

 with the off-shore nets. 



* MILNER : The Fisheries of the Great Lakes. Report U. S. Commissioner Fish and Fisheries, Part II, 1874 ; Appen- 

 dix A, pp. 13-14. 



