POUND-NET FISHERY OF GREAT LAKES. 759 
The Green Bay “ pound-net” boats are large, flat-bottomed, and broad of beam. Their 
average length is about 28 feet, their breadth of beam 9 feet, and their depth al out 42 inches. 
They will carry from 60 to 80 half-barrels of fish, a safe load being 70 half-barrels, or about 10,500 
pounds. They are usually sloop-rigged and carry long, heavy masts. They are constructed of 
rough boards, and commonly built by the fishermen. On each side of the center-board there is 
usually a covered bin. 
These boats are moderately fast sailers, are very safe, and can run in 6 inches of water. 
When the nets are to be lifted they are taken into the bowl. 
Various modifications are made in the shape and rigging of the pound-net boats in other 
localities. On the east shore of Green Bay they have no masts, being propelled entirely by oars. 
On the west shore of Lake Michigan, in the vicinity of Two Rivers, some have but one mast and 
a gaff-sail, while others have two masts. They are also somewhat better built than those in use 
in Green Bay, and are employed only in lifting the nets or when driving the stakes. Between 
Two Rivers and Port Washington again the boats are without masts. In the vicinity of Grand 
and Little Traverse Bays, on the east shore of Lake Michigan, some have masts and are rigged 
like Mackinaw boats, while others, particularly in Grand Traverse Bay, are without masts. The 
same obtains in the Straits of Mackinaw. In Lake Huron most of the boats are schooner rigged. 
At the west end of Lake Erie they are commonly used in transporting the fish. At Port Clinton, 
Sandusky, and Huron the boats are of fine model and large, and generally carry two masts. 
Many of them are 30 feet long and have a breadth of 10 feet, and will carry from 7 to 10 tons. 
The masts are from 35 to 40 feet high. At Bronhelm Bay the boats have two masts and are 
furnished with a gaff-topsail, but in the same sheet as the main sails. No jibs are employed. 
The Painesville and Willoughby boats are among the best on the lakes. They vary in length 
from 28 to 34 feet, and are 4 feet deep. They carry two masts. 
The average value of the “ pound-net” boats, at least those having masts and sails, is about 
$200. j 
Many Mackinaw boats are also employed in the pound-net fishery, particularly at Marquette, 
Lake Superior, and at Two Rivers, on the west shore of Lake Michigan. They are better adapted 
for cruising than the “ pound-net” boats. Regarding the model and peculiarities of this boat, 
Milner says:* “The famous ‘Mackinaw’ of the lakes has bow and stern sharp, a great deal of sheer, 
the greatest beam forward of amidships, and tapers with little curve to the stern. She is either 
schooner rig, or with a lug-sail forward, is fairly fast, the greatest surf-boat known, and with au 
experienced boatman will ride out any storm, or, if necessary, beach with greater safety than any 
other boat. She is comparatively dry, and her sharp stern prevents the shipment of water aft 
when running with the sea. They have been longer and more extensively used on the upper 
lakes than any other boats, and with less loss of life or accident. The objection to the more gen- 
eral use of the Mackinaw is that her narrowness aft affords too little room for storage.” 
At Waukegan scows about 22 feet in length and 8 feet in breadth are employed. They carry 
6 tons and are worth only about $60. A small boat, known as the “‘anchor” boat, is also used 
here in drawing the stakes and removing the fish. 
Steam tugs are employed in the vicinity of the Straits of Mackinaw, at Escanaba, Green Bay, 
and in several fisheries on the west sbore of Lake Michigan and the Beaver Islands, in connection 
with the off-shore nets. 
* MILNER: The Fisheries of the Great Lakes. Report U. 8. Commissioner Fish and Fisheries, Part II, 1874; Appen- 
dix A, pp. 13-14. , 
