FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 23 



is nearly straight and almost vertical ; the stern-post is straight and 

 rakes about G inches. She is provided with wash-boards about 6 inches 

 wide, these haviug a low coaming along their inner edge some 1 or 2 

 inches high, to prevent water from running into the boat. 



At the bow there is a sort of half-deck or platform, on a level with 

 the thwarts, running back to the foremast, a distance of about 4 feet. 

 There are two thwarts in the middle or " body" of the boat, these being 

 separated about 9 or 10 feet. Between these thwarts is the fish room, 

 and here also is stowed the ballast, the latter being put into the after 

 part of the compartment, while the forward part is reserved for the 

 storage of fish. Underneath each thwart is a bulk-head extending 

 crosswise of the boat, and separating this fish and ballast room from 

 the forward and after standing-rooms or "pits." The middle compart- 

 ment is divided longitudinally by the center-board case, which is 8 feet 

 long, and the after end of which touches the forward side of the after 

 thwart. An adjustable board platform is laid on each side above the 

 thwarts ; the object of this is to protect the fish from the sun's rays, 

 which would burn and injure them, and also for preventing the too 

 rapid melting of the fine ice that is thrown over them while they are 

 being carried to market from the fishing-ground. 



Between the half-deck at the bow and the forward thwart is a 

 standiug-room or so-called "pit," having a platform or flooring for 

 the boatmen to stand upon, and abaft the after thwart is a similar 

 compartment, with a scuttle in its floor covering the " bailing well," 

 while at the stern is a permanent seat for the helmsman to sit upon. 

 The rudder-head rises above the stern-post, as is common in this class 

 of boats, and is operated by a long wooden tiller. 



This boat is schooner-rigged, has long tapering masts, a moderately 

 long bowsprit, and carries a large area of canvas. The foremast is 

 supported by a single shroud on a side, and by the jib-stay; it steps 

 at the after edge of the forward platform or half deck, and the main- 

 mast stands at the after side of the after thwart. The main-boom ex- 

 tends about 7 feet behind the stern-post. In principle the masts are 

 adjustable, but in boats of this size they are too heavy to be easily 

 handled, and are seldom unshipped. 



Three sails are carried, namely, a jib, which sets on a stay, a loose- 

 footed gaff- fores ail, and a boom aud gaff-mainsail. The mainsail and 

 foresail are bent to mast hoops. 



Although the boat, like others of the same type, depends chiefly 

 on sails for propulsion, she has rowlocks just forward of amidships 

 for two oars, and when there is a calm the boatmen can sit on the 

 forward thwart to row, but quite frequently they stand up abaft the 

 oar and "push," a favorite method of rowing with many fishermen 

 who sail on large open boats. 



The following are the dimensions and cost of the Jennie Gilbert: 

 Length, over all, 28 feet; beam 7 feet G inches ; draught, in ballast trim, 



