xliv 



Thirty-second Annual Report 



in the preceding year. The Moray Firth districts claimed the majority 

 of those built, while 5 were for England and 3 for Ireland. 



The total number of new sailing boats was 129, or a decrease of 11 

 from the number constructed in 1912. Of these, 63 were of the 

 small third-class type (under 18 feet of keel), 44 were second-class boats 

 (from 18 to 30 feet of keel), 20 were first-class boats (from 30 feet to 45 

 feet in length of keel), and 2 were first-class boats of over 45 feet keel. 

 Notwithstanding the decrease in the total number built, the total 

 value was £15,481 as against £13,963 for the preceding year — an 

 increase of £1518. Only about 32 of these boats were built for the 

 installation of motor power. 



The returns relating to the number and value of steam, trawlers 

 built during the year showed only a slight decrease from those of 1912, 

 the numbers being 31, costing £201,500, as against 33, valued at 

 £199,830. These vessels were all built at Aberdeen, and included 8 

 vessels for English owners and 4 for French. 



BARREL MAKING. 



The number of barrels and half -barrels manufactured in Scotland in 

 1913 for the reception of cured herrings was (Appendix G, No. II. p. 150) 

 3,029,963, an increase of 16 per cent, on 1912, and a record for the 

 industry. This was anticipated in last Report, as all available stocks 

 had been exhausted to enable curers to cope with the heavy landings 

 in the East Anglian autumn fishing. This fishing was again exception- 

 ally productive in 1913, and coopers are accordingly experiencing 

 a period of very regular and remunerative employment. About half 

 as many half-barrels as barrels are now manufactured annually. 

 Twelve years ago the proportion was only about one seventh. The 

 half-barrel is being adopted as it makes a handier package for inland 

 transport on the Continent, and is preferred by the small retailers 

 through whom the herrings finally reach the consumers. 



All herring barrels made in Scotland are now hooped partly with 

 wooden and partly with iron hoops. The use of iron hoops on herring 

 barrels was not introduced until 1885, previous to which only wooden 

 hoops were permitted. The use of iron hoops alone has never become 

 popular, but within three years of its introduction the method of 

 hooping with iron and wooden hoops combined had come into general 

 use, and by 1900 it stood practically alone. Fir continues to be the 

 principal wood of which the barrels are made, only 1 per cent, being of 

 other kinds in 1913. 



Of the total number of barrels and half-barrels manufactured, 

 the Aberdeenshire ports with Wick and Shetland accounted for 80 per 

 cent. 



It is interesting to note that by the Herring Fishery (Branding) 

 Act, 1913, it is required that herrings presented for the ofiicial brand 

 in England shall be contained in barrels or half-barrels of the sizes (26 1 

 and 13 J gallons) so long legalised in Scotland. 



BASKET BRANDING. 



The numxber of basket measures examined and branded by the 

 Board's officers in 1913 is also shown in Appendix G, No. II. (p. 150.) 



