[1T>] FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 657 



many of whom are natives of Southern Europe, have brought with them 

 their native prejudices in favor of the lateen n'g. The lug rig has never 

 been a favorite one in the United States. 



There are many varieties of flat-bottomed boats used in the fisheries 

 of the United States, the most important of these being the American 

 dory. For various reasons, this type of boat, though somewhat unpre- 

 possessing to look at, has come into great favor for sea fishing. 



The dory is found more convenient for stowage on the deck of a vessel 

 than any other boat, since several can be "nested" together; it is light 

 and convenient to handle, "burdensome," can be built at small cost, and 

 is one of the safest boats used in the fisheries. At least three dories 

 have crossed the Atlantic, one of which — the Little Western — was 

 only 13£ feet long on the bottom. 



The dory originated in Newburyport, Mass., about the beginning 

 of the present century. At first boats of this build, but of larger 

 size than those employed in the fisheries, were used as lighters for 

 discharging cargoes of sugar and molasses from vessels arriving 

 from the South or the West Indies. Dories were used in the fisheries 

 comparatively little until 1850, but with the introduction of the trawl- 

 line fisheries these boats came rapidly into favor, and of late years have 

 been very generally adopted by the fishermen of the British Provinces 

 of North America aud also by the French, who resort to the Grand 

 Banks of Newfoundland. 



The sharpy, used in the oyster and other fisheries, is a very service- 

 able form of boat in localities where the waters are generally shallow. 

 Provided with center-board and sails, they are frequently swift sailers 

 in smooth water, and on certain parts of the Atlantic coast boats of this 

 type are in high favor as small yachts. 



The "pound boat" of the Great Lakes is a variation of the sharpy 

 pattern, but is made of extra width in order that it may be adapted to 

 its work. As a matter of fact, a fisherman's boat is usually as good 

 an illustration of the adaptation of means to ends as can be found. 

 The Eskimo of the far north, where wood is not obtainable, builds his 

 kyak or bidarka of the skins of such animals as he can capture. The 

 tribes living on the northwest coast of America, in regions where forests 

 of large trees grow, construct for themselves boats dug out of the solid 

 wood, while other Indians make boats of the bark of trees, birch 

 bark beiug the favorite material among many North American tribes. 

 AmoDg white men w T e find even a greater diversity. And in a country 

 having such an extensive area as the United States, with all the vary- 

 ing conditions of climate, weather, aud local surroundings, having 

 within its limits fishermen from almost every country under the sun, it 

 is not at all surprising that a remarkable variety of form and rig should 

 exist in fishing boats. It is not, however, possible to discuss this sub- 

 ject here, even in the briefest manner, the time and space at our corn- 

 2444— Bull. 27 42 



