CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING -FISHERY. 239 



hundred ; these were manned by four or five individuals 

 each, which gives a compliment of upwards of three thou- 

 sand men engaged in this hazardous enterprise. Although 

 several instances of loss of life could be given as occurring 

 in bad weather, wo use the term hazardous in the com- 

 mercial sense ; and certainly, when we state that up to this 

 auspicious day all their toil and watching had been pro- 

 ductive of no success, it will readily be allowed that it is 

 not misapplied. The cheers of the respective crews, as 

 they passed us for the harbour, told that on this occasion 

 they had not toiled in vain. On landing, and examining 

 the various boats, we learned that the take might be from 

 thirty to seventy crans each boat ; indeed, one boat was 

 shown with one hundred crans on board." 



" E. GlLFILLAN." 



To record the progress of the fishery in each year at 

 the difi"erent places, would occupy too much space in a 

 work of this kind ; but it is useful and interesting to ob- 

 tain well-ascertained facts as to prices, and quantities, and 

 places, in certain seasons. The trade has been gradually ex- 

 tending, and the quality having been established under a 

 system, the herring becomes a useful article of commerce, 

 and the demand comes from distant quarters ; and I shall 

 take one locality to illustrate these remarks. At Wick, 

 and the neighbouring ports of Thurso and Helmsdale, by 

 the 31st of August there were cured and shipped the follow- 

 ing quantities to the named places, making in all 69,653 

 barrels ; and the freights are also stated as having been 

 paid for the transportation of the herrings, — the price 

 paid for the herrings having been at the moderate rate of 

 21s. per barrel: — 



