50 The Commercial Prodttds of the Sea. 



a little before sunset, the fishing-boat being kept before the 

 wind, and with only enough sail set to take her clear of 

 the nets as fast as they are thrown over. When all the 

 nets are out, about 15 fathoms more of warp are paid out, 

 and by this the vessel is swung round and then rides head 

 to wind, a small mizen being set to keep her in that 

 position. 



The whole train of nets is now extended in nearly a 

 straight line, the back-rope, to which the corks are fastened, 

 being uppermost, and the body of the net hanging perpen- 

 dicularly in the water, forming a wall of netting more 

 than 2000 yards long, and about eight yards deep. The 

 strain from the vessel serves to keep the net extended, and 

 the whole — vessel and nets together — drifts along with the 

 tide. The influence of the tide, however, is not equally 

 felt throughout the whole extent of the nets. The train 

 is consequently soon thrown into irregular curves, often 

 leading to considerable confusion when many boats are 

 fishing in close company. 



During the day the herrings keep very much at the 

 bottom, or in a considerable depth of water ; but as night 

 closes in, and if the weather be favourable, they become 

 more active, swim nearer the surface, and in their attempts 

 to pass through the barriers of netting on every side of 

 them many become meshed, the gills of any moderate- 

 sized fish preventing its return when once the head has 

 passed completely through the mesh. 



If, after two or three hours, an examination of the first 

 of the nets should show that many fish have been caught, 

 the train is hauled on board and the fish shaken out. The 

 nets are hauled in by means of a capstan and the warp to 

 which the nets are fastened. 



Drift fishing is carried on with craft of various sizes, 



