FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 21 



low at the stern of the little tug, and a better opportunity to stow the 

 boxes of nets above deck aft, so that the apparatus can be set more 

 readily than otherwise might be the case. 



In this after deck are two small hatches or scuttles, through which 

 access can be had to the hold beneath. 



The Emoin is 1G.95 tons gross tonnage, and 8.48 tons net. She draws 

 from 6 to 7 feet of water, and is sharp on the floor. 



She is propelled by a screw ; has a 10 by 12 non-condensing high- 

 pressure engine; steel boiler 8 feet long by 4 feet diameter; pressure, 

 maximum, 105 pounds to the square inch ; speed, 10 miles an hour. She 

 has no mast and no sail power. Cost, $3,500. 



11. HURON BOAT, 



A special form of two-sail schooner-rigged boat, called the " Huron," 

 and sometimes the " Hay ward boat," is used in the fisheries of the Great 

 Lakes, and may be found at many of the lake ports, particularly at 

 Michigan City, Indiana, and at Mackinac, Saugatuck, South Haven, and 

 Sfc. Joseph, Michigan. In 1872-73, according to Milner, it was in 

 greatest favor where the large gill-net rigs were used. 



This is an open keel boat, moderately sharp forward, with a round 

 bilge, rather short run, no overhang to counter, and a deep, heavy, 

 heart-shaped, square stern, with the rudder hung outside. It has less 

 sheer than the Mackinaw boat, and more room for nets, fish, half-bar- 

 :els, etc. The foremast stands as far forward as possible, and is usually 

 'onger than the mainmast. The length of boats of this type iscom- 

 nonly from 30 to 40 feet, with a beam of about 8 or 9 feet. A boat 

 ol feet long and 8 or 9 feet wide would have a tonnage of about 5 tons. 

 The best boats of this build have the reputation of being faster sailers 

 than those of the Mackinaw type, and are used for fishing much farther 

 from the shore, in deeper water. They are employed to a very large ex- 

 tent on Lake Michigan and also on the other lakes where large gill-net 

 rigs are operated ; they are not, however, so numerous elsewhere as on 

 Lake Michigan. 



These boats have been noted for the many disasters which have oc- 

 curred to them, and the consequent great loss of life. We are not 

 clearly informed as to whether this is due to any fault in the boat itself, 

 or lack of seamanship in the fishermen, or because of the peculiar dan- 

 gers to which both boats and men are subjected in the prosecution of 

 the fisheries in that region. The only explanation of it we have seen is 

 that by Milner, who says : 



"An inquiry into the history of loss of life and accidents among the 

 fishermen of Lake Michigan indicates that these boats had suffered the 

 most, partly, no doubt, because of their longer runs out from shore." 



