XV 



Thirtieth Annual Report 



Summer Herring English Herring 



Fishing. Fishing. 



Average Earnings. Average Earnings. 



Steam Drifters, £887 £665 



Motor „ 513 321 



Sail „ 281 193 



This table also brings out the fact that the steam-drifter, owing to 

 its better sea-going qualities, is relatively more successful than the 

 motor-boat at the period of the year (October and November) when 

 the English fishing is prosecuted and when stormier weather is 

 experienced. 



As regards the smaller West Coast boats, similar difficulties in 

 obtaining reliable estimates of the earnings have been experienced, 

 but the following data relating to Campbeltown district may be re- 

 garded as authentic : — 



Pairs. Gross Earnings per Pair. 



Motor Boats, £1,150 to £1,590 



Motor and Sail Boat, ... 700 to 900 



Sail Boats, 180 to 300 



It may be explained that the Campbeltown boats, operating almost 

 entirely with the seine-net, necessarily work in pairs, and the fore- 

 going figures show clearly the advantages of motor installation. 

 Where two motor-boats work together the earnings reach a maximum 

 of £1590 ; when one motor-boat has to work with a sail boat the 

 maximum sinks to £900 ; and where two sail boats are in partnership 

 the maximum earnings are only £300. The striking testimony which 

 these figures offer is now generally accepted by Clyde fishermen, and 

 local officers are of opinion that the time is not far distant when all 

 the best fishermen will have their boats equipped with motor engines. 

 In this connection, attention is called to the easy terms of purchase 

 offered by the different manufacturers, who do not press for the 

 instalments due to them if the fishing has not been a success. 



Conclusion. 



The considerable increase in the motor fleet during 1911 appears to 

 bear out the view which was expressed in the Report for 1910, that 

 the marine oil engine, both as an auxiliary and as a main motive power, 

 has a distinct future before it. As already stated, the Moray Firth 

 crews have not taken kindly to it, but with the ever-increasing 

 experience gained by the manufacturers, and the consequent im- 

 provements effected in the engines, it appears likely that the principal 

 objections to the oil engine will be removed. One important difficulty 

 which remains to be surmounted is to devise an engine which will 

 work the capstan, and until this is done the general acceptance of 

 motor power for fishing boats will be retarded. It is true that claims 

 have been made for certain engines that they are capable of working 

 the capstan, but, so far as can be ascertained, these claims have not 

 satisfactorily been substantiated. It may, however, be accepted as 

 settled that for the smaller type of boats working in inshore waters 

 the oil engine is admirably adapted — better, indeed, than any other 

 existing motive power. 



