of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



209 



There was little change in the number of fishing vessels belonging 

 to the district. A number of sail boats were sold to other places, and 

 several obsolete ones were broken up. These, however, were replaced by 

 steam drifters^ leaving the number practically the same, but greatly enhancing 

 the value. This evidences the increasing favour of fishermen for the latter 

 type of vessel. Only one sail boat had auxiliary motor power installed 

 during the year, making four in all of this sort of craft, which has not yet 

 become popular here. 



There was practically no winter herring fishing, the only herrings landed 

 during that period (37 crans) being by boats returning from Stornoway. 



The early herring fishing was prosecuted with fair success, and was 

 remunerative to both fishermen and curers. The total landings were fully 

 one-third in excess of the previous year's. The herrings on the whole were 

 of good size and quality, and were mostly kippered and freshed. 



The summer herring fishing, opening on 1st June, was moderately 

 successful during that month. After that it fell off somewhat until the end 

 of July and beginning of August, when it took a sudden spurt and seemed 

 to promise great things, instead of which it declined gradually to the end of 

 the season. The number of boats engaged varied from time to time 

 according to the number coming home for the week-end. Most of the catch 

 was brought from the offshore by sail boats, steamers calling seldom, and 

 the inshore fishing being unproductive. The total catch was nearly a third 

 more than that of the previous year, but the price was less — 16s. 5s. per 

 cran, against 22s. 8d. in 1909. Quality was good throughout. 



Cod net fishing was prosecuted by a slightly increased number of boats, 

 but the results were disappointing. Since this mode of fishing became 

 successful further up the Firth between Tarbat Ness and Helmsdale, cod 

 do not appear to be so plentiful on the grounds in this locality. 



Early in the year a number of Whitehills fishermen did fairly well fishing 

 with nets for soles and plaice, and getting considerable quantities, chiefly 

 plaice. These were caught off the village of Whitehills. 



There was an increase in the number of steamers, and a decrease in the 

 number of sail boats, that went to the English and Irish fishings. The 

 earnings at the English fishing ranged from .£300 to .£900 for steamers, and 

 ^120 to X230 for sailers ; while at the Irish fishing, which was confined to 

 steamers, the earnings were from .£200 to ^500. 



Crab and lobster fishing was carried on as usual at Gardenstown, Macduff, 

 and Whitehills, but less successfully than in 1909. 



Boatbuilders were well occupied during the year. With the exception 

 of a few small boats for line fishing, they were busily engaged with steam 

 drifters, of which 17 were launched. For the coming year prospects are 

 good, as builders' hands are full now, and are likely to be for some consider- 

 time, constructing steam drifters. 



In connection with the English fishing two unfortunate incidents 

 occurred, resulting in the loss of two steam drifters belonging to this district 

 — the " Speedwell I Y." of Gardenstown and the "Choice" of Crovie. The 

 " Speedwell IV." left Lowestoft, and when near the Gorton Lightship came 

 into collision with the ketch "Egremont" of Hull, with the result that the 

 latter was sunk and one of her crew drowned. The drifter's men rescued 

 the rest of the crew and made for Lowestoft, but had not gone far when 

 they found their vessel was fast filling with water, and both crews (12 men 

 in all) had to take to the small boat. Fortunately, they were soon picked 

 up by a steam drifter. The " Speedwell IV." foundered soon after being 

 abandoned. The " Choice " ran aground at Newton, on the Northumberland 

 coast, while on the homeward passage from Lowestoft to Crovie, and 

 became a total wreck ; the crew were saved and were successful in saving 

 their material. 



The loss of and damage to boats and gear in Scottish waters was compara- 



