304 DREDGING AND TRAWLING 



a small otter trawl from a small vessel, without special 

 fittings. Such a trawl is most conveniently worked 

 with two " bridles " and a single towing warp, as in 

 the case of a beam trawl. Each otter board should 

 not be heavier than can be conveniently handled by 

 one man. 



The following dimensions apply to what is perhaps 

 the largest trawl that can be conveniently worked in 

 this way : 



Square : 11-5 feet long ; 140 meshes down to 140 ; 

 mesh, 2 inches. 



Top wings, 17 feet long ; 36 meshes down to 12 ; 

 mesh, 2 inches. 



Bottom wings : 27 feet long ; 30 meshes down to 28 ; 

 mesh, 2 inches. 



Batings : 140 meshes down to 50 ; length, 20 feet 

 (775 feet to head of pockets, 8-5 feet of pockets, 

 8-5 feet 140 meshes down to 80). 



Belly : braided same as batings. 



Cod end : 50 meshes across ; 1 inch mesh ; 6 feet. 



Head rope : 40 feet. 



Ground rope : 46 feet. 



Length of spans used : 40 feet each span. 



Size of otter boards : 3 feet 5 inches x 2 feet 

 2 1 inches. 



A trawl of this pattern may be shot over the stern 

 of the vessel. To prepare the trawl for shooting, 

 attach the head line and ground rope to the two boards, 

 shackle one bridle to each otter board, and then attach 

 the other ends of the bridles to the towing warp by 

 means of a freely working swivel. When the cod end of 

 the net has been tied, steam slowly ahead and pay the net 

 overboard, starting with the cod end. One man should 

 be in charge of each otter board, and should stand on the 

 outside of the bridles. When the net is trailing away 



