658 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [14] 



mand not permitting of anything more than to make a bare allusion to 

 the matter. 



The collection of models and full-sized specimens of fishing boats, 

 rigged or otherwise, portable boats, canoes, kyaks, dug-outs, &c, rep- 

 resent the more interesting forms of small craft used for fishing iu the 

 United States. Sketches and large photographs illustrate the con- 

 struction and work of many of these boats, canoes, &c. 



APPARATUS ACCESSORY TO RIGGING FISHING VESSELS. 



Very marked improvements have been made in the fittings and ap- 

 pliances of fishing vessels since 1830. Previous to that time the vessels 

 had no stoves; the cabins were roughly finished, and cooking was 

 done in a small fire-place. The vessels were steered with tillers, as a 

 rule, none of the many varieties of patent wheels used on fishing vessels 

 having been invented at that date, while the patent windlass, now con- 

 sidered indispensable, was unknown to fishermen, who were obliged to 

 perform the heavy work of heaving up their anchors on the banks with 

 the old-fashioned windlasses, worked by handspikes. 



CANVAS. 



In the early days the sails were usually made of dark colored can- 

 vas (probably of hemp), which in dry weather was generally baggy, 

 and we are told by old fishermen that few vessels at the beginning of 

 the present century Avere unprovided with scout-horns with which to 

 wet their sails when sailing close hauled. At the present time cotton 

 canvas is exclusively used on American fishing vessels, and the fisher- 

 men of the United States are much prejudiced in its favor. Its com- 

 parative cheapness, its whiteness, and the fact that it will set very fiat 

 are merits which tend to bring it into high repute, more especially on 

 the clipper fishing vessels, on which dark colored or baggy canvas 

 would not be tolerated. About 40 per cent, of the canvas used on the 

 Gloucester fishing fleet is what is known as the "medium" — a quality of 

 duck about half way between the hard and soft grades. 



The following will give an idea of the weight of canvas carried by 

 the fishing schooners of New England: 



Canvas used for three lower sails, namely, mainsail, foresail, and jib, 

 all of which are usually made of the same kind of duck : Nos. 1 and 2 

 for vessels of 70 to 90 tons ; No. 2 for vessels of 00 to 70 tons; Nos. 3 

 and 4 for vessels of 50 tons; No. 5 for vesels of 40 tons; No. for 

 vessels of 20 tons. 



Canvas used for light sails : Nos. 6 and 7, for flying jibs for vessels 

 65 to 90 tons; Nos. 9 and 10 used for staysails and gaff- topsails for 

 schooners 00 to 80 tons; 8 ounce duck used for balloon jib for schooner 

 of 90 tons, the same size for staysails on smaller vessels; 6^-ouiieo twill 

 for balloon jib for schooners of 70 to 80 tons. 



