59 



Changes in the Trawling- Vessels and 

 THEIR Apparatus \ 



With the exception of a few small sailing vessels and boats, 

 trawling in Scottish waters is carried on, as it was in 1884, 

 almost exclusively by steam-vessels ; but, whereas at the latter 

 period many of the vessels were old tugs or modified paddle- 

 steamers formerly used for other purposes, most of the modern 

 vessels, e.g., those sailing from Granton and Aberdeen, are 

 specially built for the purpose. The finest vessels do not cost 

 much more than the serviceable vessels of the General Steam 

 Fishing Company did in 1884, viz., £4500, but very considerable 

 improvements have occurred in the arrangement and equipment. 

 Some of these iron ships are 100 to 120 feet between the 

 perpendiculars, and considerably more on deck, with a depth of 

 10 to 12 feet. The paddle-ships at Montrose'"^ are 116 feet 

 between the perpendiculars, 21 feet broad, and 10 feet deep ; 

 while the fine screw vessel is no less than 120 feet between the 

 perpendiculars, 21 feet broad, and 11 feet 6 inches deep. The 

 three latter have comparatively low bows, like many of the 

 ships from Granton. The newer ships at Granton have also 

 increased in size. Moreover, greatly increased height is given 

 to the bow of the vessels at Aberdeen, so that the foothold on 

 the fore- deck must be very uncertain, especially if slippery ; 

 but the water is kept out of the ship by such an arrangement. 

 The after-part of the ship, however, is more or less flat, so that 

 the trawls can easily be worked. These vessels range from 140 

 to 180 tons burthen, with engines from 40 to 65 horse-power. 



Instead of having the steam-winch near the fore-cabin, in 

 the newest ships it is placed on deck close to the engine-room, 

 so that the steadiness of the ship is increased, and the bow 

 kept out of the water. The screw-vessel at Montrose has two 



^ This account may be contrasted with that in the Trawling Report of 1884. 

 2 Messrs Joseph Johnston & Sons. 



