656 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATFS. [12] 



The collection of rigged models represents the most important types 

 of fishing vessels now employed in the United States, as well as others 

 which are historically interesting from having been used in the early 

 history of the country. 



The series of sketches and large photographs serve to illustrate the 

 construction, equipment, and work of the vessels, more particularly the 

 clipper schooner of the present day, which is represented under the 

 many varying conditions of wind, weather, and surroundings' that are 

 liable to occur in pursuing the several more important branches of our 

 sea fisheries. ■ 



STATISTICS AND HISTORY OF FISHING BOATS. 



The statistics prepared for the tenth census show that, in 1880, there 

 were employed in the fisheries of the United States 44,804 boats, valued 

 at $2,465,393. This fleet of boats is more evenly distributed than are 

 the vessels, and though there are relatively more on the northeastern 

 coast than elsewhere, fishing boats are nevertheless found in greater or 

 less numbers in all sections of the country where quantities of fish may 

 be taken. 



The fishermen of the United States, until within a comparatively 

 short time, have shown a decided preference for sharp-sterned boats, 

 a preference which I believe is very general among the fishermen of all 

 countries. And even at the present time this type of fishing boats is, 

 perhaps, in most general use in American waters. At the same time, 

 however, various forms and rigs of square sterned boats have been 

 adopted by the fishermen within the present century, and most of these 

 have met with local favor at least, while others have become so cele- 

 brated for speed that their fame has extended far and wide. It is 

 a somewhat remarkable fact that the most popular forms of small 

 yachts on the Atlantic coast have been modeled and rigged like fishing 

 boats, and it is by no means an unknown event for fishing boats to 

 engage in regattas and carry off the honors of the occassion, The cat- 

 rigged fishing boats in the vicinity of Newport, Ehode Island, and Mar- 

 tha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and the small sloops of Southern New 

 England and of Maine furnish the favorite types for yachtsmeu to copy. 

 Both of these forms have gained a wide celebrity for speed both in the 

 United States and in other countries. In England the cat boat of this 

 type is known as the " Una," boat, this special form having taken its 

 name from the American boat " Una" which, a few years ago, created 

 a great sensation in British yachting circles by her wonderful perform- 

 ances. 



The cat rig, the sloop, and the schooner are the favorite rigs among 

 the native American fishermen. The cutter rig has been introduced by 

 the Irish fishermen sailing from Boston, Mass., while along some parts 

 of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and in California, the fishermen, 



