METHODS OF FISHING 31 



of undressed timber enter into the composition of the largest class 

 of Fifie boat. From the point of junction with the deck the fore- 

 mast rises to a height of from 55 to 57 ft., having at that point a 

 diameter of 22 in., and at the top 11 in. Measured from a similar 

 point the mizzen mast shows a height of 49 ft., its diameter at 

 corresponding points being 15 and 7 in. A bowsprit is not now 

 included in the equipment of a Fifie of the largest class, a jib being 

 set only in fine weather when the boat is sailing before the wind. 

 The sails, which are of cotton canvas, have the following areas : 

 Mainsail, 1587 sq. ft. ; mizzen, 1349 ; and jib, 814 sq. ft. A steam 

 capstan forms part of the equipment, the engine being of 12 h.p. 

 The area of drift netting carried by such a vessel amounts to 

 42,000 sq. yd., and consists of 70 nets, each with an area of 600 

 sq. yd. ,A spare set of netting is usually carried, occasionally two 

 spare sets. Such a fleet of 70 nets would have a linear extension 

 of 2590 yd. The net is tanned by immersion in a liquid composed 

 of cutch: dissolved in hot water, the success of the operation being 

 more or less dependent on the cleanness of the nets. The bush rope, 

 composed of the best manilla, is 2640 yd. in length and is made 

 up of II coils of 240 yd. each. The boat, including mast and sails, 

 would cost at pre-war rates from £800 to £1000, the fishing gear 

 from ;f320 to £400. A Fifie boat is capable of carr5dng 300 crans 

 or 1000 cwt. of herring. 



