DIFFERENT MODES OF FISHING THE HERRING. 97 



where tlie herrings fall upon a platform, and are imme- 

 diately roosed (strongly sprinkled with salt), and put into 

 boxed apartments of the hold on a level with the plat- 

 form, but sufficiently elevated to permit the pickle, or 

 liquid from the herrings, to run off. The vessels return 

 to port as early as possible in the beginning of the season, 

 on account of the value of the first herrings, say with one 

 and a half or two lasts (fifteen to twenty barrels). We 

 may form some idea of the extent of this fishery from 

 the circumstance of there being sometimes 500 decked 

 vessels engaged in it. The utmost precaution is neces- 

 sary to prevent entanglement of the nets ; consequently, 

 no fishing vessel anchors, excepting during the day, when 

 the nets are not out, or unless the weather is so calm at 

 night as to prevent the possibility of shooting the nets ; 

 and during night each vessel has a lantern at the bow 

 upon a pole sufficiently elevated to be seen at the dis- 

 tance of five miles. It is evident a unity of purpose and 

 a unanimity in execution are necessary ; for if some were 

 to persist in anchoring and others to drive or drift, serious 

 injury would occur. A very good understanding exists 

 among the fishermen as to finding stray or lost nets, 

 namely, that if seen they shall be immediately taken in 

 and delivered to the vessel they belong to, upon payment 

 of one shilling for each net. During the two months the 

 boats are at the fishing, they gradually proceed as far 

 east as Aldbro', a distance of about thirty-five miles from 

 the spot where they commence. 



As it is the fishermen's opinion that the herrings are 

 smallest near both coasts, they generally go half-sea over, 

 to get the largest herrings, which are preferred for smok- 

 ing. The fishermen here have frequently observed that, 

 during a storm or gale of wind the herrings sink and dis- 



G 



