METHODS OF FISHING 23 



The boards measure from 8 ft. by 4 ft. to 10 ft. by 5, according 

 to the size of the trawler. They are fitted one on each side of the 

 back of the net, at the same point as the trawl-heads in the beam- 

 trawl. They are so balanced that they move forward on their 

 longest edge, each diverging at angles of about 20 degrees, keeping 

 the mouth of the net open to its full extent. The point at which the 

 trawl-warp is attached to the board has been deteimined as the 

 result of experience ; it can also be determined by hydrodynamical 

 calculations. The point of attachment is generally about one-third 

 of the length of the board measured from the fore end and rather 

 below the mid line. The size of the head-line and foot -rope and 

 the diameter of the meshes of the net vary considerably, and depend 

 on the kind of fishing undertaken. The otter boards weigh from 

 800 lb. to 1000 lb., each is secured and towed by a separate steel 

 warp, having lengths varying from 600 to 1000 fathoms. When 

 fishing on rough ground the foot -rope is furnished with large, heavy 

 wooden rollers, the " bobbins."^ 



Attempts have been made, particularly on the Continent, to 

 design vessels which can be used alternately for trawling and 

 drifting. These vessels do not seem to appeal to the British section 

 of the steam fishing trade, so a very short description of a vessel 

 of this type must suffice. There are certain difficulties to be faced 

 at the outset. In the first place the screw or propeller must be 

 protected by a cage of iron rods. In addition there is a rudder 

 situated forward in the space marked (4 in Fig. of long, section), 

 to facilitate the handling of the ship when the drift nets are being 

 shot. 



Longitudinal Section Through a Trawler Drifter 

 (Illustration, p. 24) 

 I. Wheelhouse. 2. Chartroom. 3. Captain's cabin. 4. Fore- 

 rudder. 5. Crew's quarters. 6. Water tank. 7. Storeroom. 8. 

 Gallows. 9. Iceroom. 10. Fish-hold. 11. Shelves. 12. Water 

 ballast. 13. Support for lowered mast. 14. Net room. 15. Space 

 for warps. 16. Entrance to water ballast. 17. Spare bunker. 18. 

 Main bunker. 19. Stoke-hold. 20. Engines. 21. Engineer's quarters 

 22. Storeroom. 



A recent type of trawler-drifter would be of 156 ft. length, 23 ft. 

 beam and a register tonnage of 325 tons. On her trials the engines 

 developed 727 indicated h.p., the speed being 12 knots. Under 

 ordinary circumstances the steamer would develop 650 indicated h.p. 



' For additional details see Kyle, " Fishing Nets, with Special Reference to the 

 Otter Trawl," Journal Marine Biological Association, Vol. VI, N.S., p. 56- 

 Plymouth, 1900-3. 



