430 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
which the “sardine-herring” are secured, it will be described in detail in the chapter on the sar- 
dine industry. 
FISHING WITH GILL NETS.—The gill-nets used in the herring fishery are from 15 to 20 fathoms 
long, 2 to 3 fathoms deep, and have a mesh varying from 2} to 23 inches. They are usually made 
of cotton twine, the weight varying considerably in different localities. Hemp nets were formerly 
extensively used, but cotton is found to answer the purpose equally well, and is much cheaper. 
The nets to be used on the principal spawning grounds, where the fish are known to occur in 
immense schools, are usually made of strong and comparatively coarse twine, as they are liable to 
be so heavily loaded with fish that those of light weight would be ruined in a single night. Along 
other portions of the coast, where the fish are less abundant, nets of finer material are often 
employed. 
In former years the webbing was usually knit by the wives and children of the fishermen, and 
this is done to a limited extent at the present time, though most of the fishermen have come to use 
machine-knit webbing, which they buy from the net factories of the principal cities. 
When the webbing is ready it is hung to small double lines of opposite lays, about one-third 
of the length of the net being taken up in hanginy, so that a piece of webbing 30 fathoms long 
will make a net of 20 fathoms when hung. After the net has been properly tanned or tarred and 
hung to these double lines a heavier cork-rope, supplied with egg-shaped wooden floats or with 
corks, is made fast to thé upper margin. The floats are placed at distances varying from 23 to 4 
feet, according to their size and the strength of the current in which the nets are to be used. Small 
leaden sinkers are sometimes attached to the bottom, but more frequently oblong stones are used, 
these being more readily obtained and as: easily fastened by means of small loop-lines. In the 
vicinity of Eastport iron anchors varying from 20 to 50 pounds are generally employed. On some 
parts of the coast the fishermen use stone killicks. These as a rule must be considerably heavier 
to answer the same purpose. 
Several nets are usually fastened together and set in one string, though in some instances 
they are set separately. Where the current is strong they are usually anchored at only one end, 
the other being allowed to swing with the tide, but in still water an anchor is ordinarily placed at 
either end of the string. Large buoys are attached to either end of each net to assist in holding 
it up and to mark its position in the water. In addition to these, larger watch-buoys are attached 
to either end of the string, to provide against the loss of the nets in case they should be carried to ~ 
the bottom by the weight of the fish. The watch-buoys have lines of sufficient length, so that if 
the nets should be sunk the buoy will still float on the surface and enable the fishermen to secure 
them. The buoys in general use are made of spruce or other light wood, and, on account of their 
shape, are known as “spar-buoys.” Those to be placed at the end of each net are usually 34 to 5 
feet in length and from 6 to 8 inches in diameter, while the watch-buoys are proportionately larger. 
Where the current is weak and a large catch is expected pine kegs are frequently employed. 
Toward the close of the afternoon a busy scene is presented at Wood Island. The men are 
now engaged in transferring the nets to the small boats, and soon after they may be seen making 
their way out of the harbor, some sailing and others pulling vigorously at the oars. After reaching 
the fishing ground, which is some 2 or 3 miles distant, the fishermen select their berth and begin 
setting their nets. One man rows the boat in the desired direction, which may be either with or 
across the tide, while the other throws out the nets. There is frequently a lively competition 
among the fishermen as to who shall secure the best berth, and it is not uncommonly the case that 
they will row about for a considerable time in search of “signs of fish” before deciding exactly 
where to locate for the night. 
