660 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [16] 



present time the most improved and valuable forms of compasses are 

 carried; no first-class vessel is without a good barometer (the aneroid 

 form generally being preferred); the most approved forms of patent 

 logs, and excellent marine clocks are carried, while few, if any, vessels 

 are unprovided with either a quadrant or a sextant, as well as a spy- 

 glass or marine glasses. Most of the halibut schooners and some of 

 those engaged in the cod fishery on the distant banks carry chronome- 

 ters. Much of this change is due to the extremely sharp compe- 

 tition that now exists in the several branches of the fisheries, and the 

 consequent need for skillful navigation both to find fish on small and 

 isolated u spots " and to make rapid and safe passages to and from the 

 home ports. Since the method of trawl-line fishing has now become so 

 general, and the winter fisheries are prosecuted much more than for- 

 merly, it is necessary that barometers should be carried, in order that 

 a better idea may be gained of weather changes than would otherwise 

 be possible. 



BOOKS. 



The most approved forms of nautical books, such as navigators, nau- 

 tical almanacs, coast pilots, &c, are carried on the fishing vessels. 



CHARTS. 



All of the first-class fishing vessels are well provided with charts of 

 the regions over which they sail. Eldridge's charts are seemingly pre- 

 ferred, probably because the fishing grounds are laid down on them 

 more distinctly than on either the Admiralty charts or those issued by 

 the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey or by the Hydrographic 

 Office, though the Government issues are doubtless the most accurate. 



FOG HORNS. 



There is probably nothing more needed by American fishermen than 

 a x>owerful and efficient fog horn. Obliged to lie at anchor on the fish- 

 ing banks in the direct track of commerce, especially swift steamers, 

 and where dense fogs prevail nearly all the time in spring and summer, 

 they are in constant danger of being run down and sunk — a danger that 

 can be averted only by having a powerful horn that may be operated by 

 hand. The trawl-line fisheries, too, involve the fishermen in much per- 

 sonal risk that can be obviated only by the use of a horn of more than 

 ordinary power. During the prevalence of the thickest fogs the fisher- 

 men must put off from their vessels to set and haul their trawl-lines, 

 generally going distances varying from 1£ to 2 miles. The style of 

 horns commonly in use cannot, of course, be heard more than a small 

 portion of that distance, except when there is little or no wind. There- 

 fore, in localities where the currents are uncertain as to their course, 

 and variable in strength, where the winds are liable to change suddenly 



