144 ^ FISHBEMEN OP THE UNITED STATES. 



same methods of repairing these are adopted on fishing vessels as on other vessels. These 

 methods are fully explained in all manuals of seamanship." 



Vessels engaged in the Bank fishery always have their bobstays and the lower part of their 

 jib-stays provided with chafing-gear, to prevent the cable from coming in contact with them. It 

 sometimes happens that while the vessels are riding at anchor in gales of wind this chafing-gear 

 gets loose, and there is imminent danger of the cable being chafed off and lost on that account. 

 To repair this damage and to prevent the loss of the cable there is generally required a great 

 amount of daring and skill on the part of the fishermen, and many schemes are resorted to for the 

 accomplishment of this end, none being, however, free from danger. 



The parting and consequent replacing of running rigging is something that is of such frequent 

 occurrence and so common to all vessels that it hardly need be described at length in this place. 



Ebpaieing OB EvrPEOVisiNG SAILS. — The ordinary repairs to the sails made necessary by their 

 being torn, &c., do not difier materially from those on other vessels. We may mention here that 

 in one instance, at least, a great deal of ingenuity was exhibited by fishermen in improvising sails 

 from their bed-clothing, and their vessel, the schooner Onward, of Gloucester, came safely into 

 port. It may also be said that the riding-sail, which we have before described, is frequently 

 substituted for a jib when the latter sail has been damaged or blown away, and is also made to do 

 duty for either the mainsail or foresail, which may have been rendered unfit for use. The staysail 

 may be used to take the place of either the mainsail or foresail in light weather, and occasionally 

 the gaff topsail is substituted for a jib, or even for a flying-jib. 



EEPAIEIN& OE IMPEOVISING A EUDDEE. — Since fishing vessels are liable to lose their rudders 

 at sea, it is highly important that some means should be devised for steering, in order that the 

 vessel may reach port without assistance. Various contrivances have been resorted to, among 

 which we will name the following: 



(a) By taking an anchor-stock and lashing to one side of it successive tiers of the hawser or 

 cable. Then the bight of a rope is attached to its lower end, and another farther up, at the upper 

 part of the hawser. It is then put overboard and the upper end of the anchor-stock is brought into 

 the rudder- port. The ends of the ropes attached to it are then taken forward and hauled taut on 

 either side in such a manner that the improvised rudder is held in its proper place. The tiller Is 

 next lashed to the upper end of the stock, and this serves the purpose very well, and a vessel can 

 usually be steered with it without much difficulty. Sometimes plank or timber may be substituted 

 for the hawser. In cases where an anchor-stock is not to be had a light spar, gaff, topmast, or 

 even the jib-sheet traveler are taken instead. 



(6) Another method is to make a coil of hawser, which is securely lashed together in all its 

 parts. This is towed astern, and the movements of the vessel are controlled by tackles leading 

 from either side of the stern to the standing parts of the hawser, the direction of the vessel being 

 changed by hauling in either one or the other of these. 



(c) A cask filled with water is sometimes substituted for a coil of cable, and may be made to 

 answer nearly the same purpose. 



Eepaies feom LEAKS. — The method of repairing leaks caused by collision is the only one that 

 will be considered here. It sometimes happens that fishing vessels are cut down by another nearly 

 to the water's edge, and, unless repaired promptly, are liable to sink before reaching a place of 

 safety. In such cases a man is generally lowered over the side and fastens over the aperture 

 some canvas, over which boards are fastened, if they are obtainable. If this is well done the 

 vessel can be tightened so that she may reach port without accident. 



Righting vessels which ha ye been knocked down. — Although most of our fishing vessel^ 



