76 CHANGES INTRODUCED BY TRAWLING. 



Now (1883) active and powerful vessels, propelled by steam, 

 and thus more or less independent of the weather — manned 

 by a captain responsible to owners or their manager, a crew 

 bound together only by discipline and pay, and whose fishing 

 apparatus required no bait, appeared on the field. Further, 

 instead of following the pursuit on grounds familiar to genera- 

 tions before them, the new fishermen not only ranged over 

 these, but sought new and sometimes more distant fields. 

 Capitalists took up the question, and fitted out powerful ships 

 in both Scotland and England, and sent them into Scottish 

 waters, so that the liners met with most formidable rivals. 

 The complaints of the line-fishermen at this period (1883) and 

 subsequently necessarily attracted much attention, and great 

 sympathy has always been expressed in regard to their condition, 

 for undoubtedly the larger and more regular supply of fishes 

 had a tendency to diminish value, and this caused a reduction 

 of income to the liner, and the fishes on certain of the nearer 

 grounds were thinned, and perhaps rendered more wary. In 

 the Report of 1884 it was said that ' two competitors are in the 

 field instead of one, and for the liner it may take closer work, 

 even with all the help improved modern appliances in boats 

 and material can give, to keep pace with his rival;' and further, 

 that it would be a great calamity if any mishap should befall 

 such a fine race of men — hardy, willing, and adventurous. 

 Complete destruction, or, at any rate, most serious interference 

 with the fishing-grounds, and the destitution of the fishing- 

 population, were then predicted, and many anxious eyes watched 

 the development of events, since about 45,000 men at least 

 were dependent on the net- and line-boats of the country, 

 whereas only a few hundred — perhaps between 200 and 300 — 

 were at that time engaged in the trawling industry. 



Fifteen years have elapsed since this change took place, 

 yet so far as can be ascertained, the condition of the sober and 

 industrious liner of to-day is far from being destitute, and 

 many are able to utilize the Savings Bank, to acquire property 

 or a competency for their old age. It could not well be other- 

 wise, when, with all the uncertainties of fishing, four men will 

 occasionally have about £26 a week, or a single ' shot ' which 



