DANGERS OF THE PISHEEIBS. 121 



heavy clothing saturated with salt water and the contact of the cuff of the oil-jacket with the flesh 

 of the wrist. 



DANGERS TO PISHEEMEN IN SMAI.L BOATS. 



The fishermen in trawling on the Banks usually go out in their dories from one to three miles 

 from the vessel for the trawls, and are exposed to numerous dangers. 



Capsized by heaty seas. — Boats are capsized either when the men are rowing to and from 

 the vessel, or when they are engaged in hauling or setting the trawls. Pages could be filled with 

 instances of this kind, often resulting in loss of life, and frequently remarkable for examples of 

 heroism on the part of fishermen who have made attempts, at the risk of their own lives, to save 

 their weaker comrades. 



"Schooner Keptune's Bride was wrecked at Malcomb's Ledge, Me., September 22, 18C0. 

 Twelve of her fourteen men found a watery grave by the swamping of the boat in which they 

 sought to reach the shore. One man, Henry Johnson, was enabled to regain the boat. She was 

 full of water, but fortunately there was a bucket in her, and a coil of rope. With the former he 

 commenced bailing, and by dint of hard labor managed to free her, although she was continually 

 taking in water. A hogshead tub from the vessel had drifted across the boat amidships. This he 

 secured with his rope, and that made the boat ride more easily. When he got tired of bailing the 

 boat he would crawl into the tub, and when that got full of water he would commence bailing the 

 boat again. He knew not whither he was drifting, and became so utterly exhausted that, long ere 

 daylight dawned, he fell asleep. At noon-time a Belfast schooner sighted the craft, bore down to 

 her, and her single passenger was received on board and kindly cared for. One other of the crew, 

 named Marsh, secured a resting place at the foremast-head, where for eighteen hours he endured 

 greater agonies than death could inflict. The surging waters reached to his waist, while the pitti- 

 less rain beat upon his unprotected head, and the pangs of thirst and hunger clamored that he 

 should cease the unequal strife and seek oblivion in the seething flood. But the instinct of self- 

 preservation was strong, and he maintained his position until his feet were chafed and raw, and 

 delirium set in. His critical position was at last discovered by two fishermen on Seal Island, and 

 he was taken off and tenderly cared for until reason resumed its throne and he was able to take 

 passage for home."* 



Capsized by weight of teawl. — There is danger of being upset by the strain on the trawl 

 line, as the dory rises upon the sea when the men are hauling in the line. The line is usually, 

 in such cases, around the trawl- winch, or "hurdy-gurdy," and cannot be slackened quick enough 

 to prevent upsetting the dory. 



Capsized by shipping watek. — A dory heavily loaded with fish is liable to be upset by 

 shipping a quantity of water which brings the gunwales below the surface. When a boat is 

 upset in this waj'^ the men seldom escape from drowning. They are clothed from head to toe in 

 heavy clothing, besides stiff outer clothing of oiled cotton or rubber, and with heavy boots, so that 

 they have little power of movement in the water. In addition to this the water is extremely cold 

 on the Banks, in summer being rarely above 40° or 42°, and in winter nearly at the freezing point; 

 the unfortunate. fishermen become so chilled that they are incapable of much exertion. Of late 

 years the Gloucester fishermen have adopted the custom of fitting the dories with " plug beckets," 

 which are loops of rope fastened to the under side of the plug in the bottom of the dory. This 

 loop, or "becket," is large enough for a man to thrust his arm through, and he can thus cling to 

 the bottom of the boat until help may reach him. A " life-line" is also occasionally used. This is 



' Gloucester and its Fisheries, pp. 66, 67. 



