314 



TURBOT. 



anchors, which are commonly perforated stones, 

 and four buoys, made of leather and cork : the line 

 is always laid across the current : the tides of flood 

 and ebb continue an equal time upon our coast, 

 and when undisturbed by winds, run each way 

 about six hours : they are so rapid that the fisher- 

 men can only shoot and haul their lines at each 

 turn of the tide; and therefore the lines always 

 remain on the ground about six hours : the same 

 rapidity of the tide prevents their using hand-lines, 

 and therefore two of the people commonly wrap 

 themselves in the sail and sleep, while the other 

 keeps a strict look-out, for fear of being run down 

 by ships, and to observe the weather ; for storms 

 often rise so suddenly, that it is with extreme dif- 

 ficulty they can escape to shore, leaving their lines 

 behind. The coble is twenty feet six inches long, 

 and five feet extreme breadth : it is about one ton 

 burthen, rowed with three pair of oars, and admir- 

 ably constructed for the purposes of encountering 

 a mountainous sea : they hoist sail when the wind 

 suits." 



