xiv 



Thirty-fl'Tst Annual Report 



It will be observed that for the first seven years little progress was 

 made, and that it was not until 1909 that the fleet attained appreciable 

 proportions. Since 1909 the increase has been rapid, especially in the 

 second-class boats, and there is every reason to expect that it will 

 continue. 



The increase on the East Coast was 39, in Orkney and Shetland 6, 

 and on the West Coast 78, and the fleet is now distributed as 

 follows : — 



Of the West Coast increase, no fewer than 67 were applicable to 

 the Clyde districts, where the proved superiority of the motor boat 

 over the sail boat has led the majority of the best fishermen to adopt 

 motor propulsion. In Campbeltown district alone there was an 

 increase of 25, and the regular herring fleet now comprises 72 motor 

 boats and only 10 sailing boats. Ballantrae district, with an increase 

 of 22, followed Campbeltown closely. The other three Clyde districts 

 shared in the increase, and it is pleasing to note that the districts of 

 Eort-William and Loch Carron and Skye also report additions. 



In the Clyde districts the motor boats are mainly engaged in herring 

 fishing, but the increase in the East Coast numbers was largely due to 

 the development of the use oP the motor in line-fishing boats. The 

 number of large herring drifters fitted with motors shows an increase 

 of 5, and the remaining 34 added to the East Coast fleet consist of 

 smaller boats which are mainly used for lining. 



Wick district returns the largest increase on the East Coast — 17. 

 Of these, only one was a large boat, the remaining 16 being boats of 

 14 to 35 feet keel, which are principally employed at line fishing. 

 Good results have been obtained by those boats, and further additions 

 to the fleet are expected. 



Banff district returns an increase of 4, a number small in itself, but 

 noteworthy in that it marks a new departure. The addition was 

 attributable to the village of Whitehills, where haddock boats of 26 

 to 29 feet keel have been fitted with motors. The results have proved 

 highly satisfactory, and from information received since the returns were 

 compiled it appears that the Whitehills motor fleet will show a large 

 increase during the current year. If the experiment continues to 

 meet with success, and there seems little doubt on the point, the 

 example of Whitehills will no doubt prove contagious. 



From Montrose district an increase of 8 is reported, and when the 

 year closed several other boats were being fitted with motors. The 

 boats in which motors have been installed are of 30 to 45 feet keel, 

 and while they are chiefly used for line-fishing the fishermen intend 

 to prosecute the great summer herring fishing with them. This 

 development is attributable to Gourdon and Johnshaven, where the 

 mill-owners are assisting the fishermen financially, partly, it is stated, 

 in the hope of retaining the families in the district and so securing 

 a supply of female labour. At Johnshaven, also, a limited liability 

 company with a capital of £1600 has been formed for the purpose 



No. of 

 Boats. 



Tonnage. 



Value of Boats 



and Gear 

 £105,320 

 7,523 

 37,726 



East Coast, 120 



Orkney and Shetland, 31 

 West Coast, ... 205 



3,259 

 203 

 1,754 



