10 
Appendices to Eighth Annual Report 
cured was 132,968 barrels, showing an increase of 31,091 barrels over 
1888. The weather was favourable for the regular prosecution of fishing. 
One fisherman was unfortunately drowned in the harbour at night by- 
falling overboard. No boats were wrecked, and the damage sustained 
was slight. By a severe gale which came on suddenly from the N.W. on 
the night of 20th August, nets valued at about £1200 were lost and 
damaged, but, apart from this, the loss sustained amounted to about 
£246. 
The winter, spring, and early herring fishing only yielded 1666 crans, — 
making the total catch of the year 107,411 crans. 
Peterhead District. 
From Aberdeen to Rattray Head, both exclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Peterhead. 
The summer fishing of 1889 was commenced at an earlier date than 
usual. Towards the end of June from 60 to 70 boats were engaged in 
the prosecution of this fishing, and on the last days of the month curing 
for the Continental markets had begun. Fully one half of the season's 
catch was landed by the end of July. There were 506 boats employed, 
of which 2 fished from Port Erroll, 54 from Boddam, and 450 from Peter- 
head. Of these, 264 belonged to the district. For the number of boats 
employed, the catch was the highest on record. At Port Erroll the 
average catch for each boat during the season was 270, Boddam 158 J, 
and Peterhead 285 crans, or an average of 271 J crans for each boat. 
The most successful boat landed upwards of 700 crans, and a number 
from 200 to 500, but there were some that did not reach 100. The 
largest single take was 1 46 J crans, but takes of from 100 to 126 were 
frequently lauded during the season. The highest ascertainable earnings 
of one boat amounted to £416, a number had from £200 to £300, but 
there w r ere some that barely earned as much as would pay expenses. 
The weeks ended 13th July and 17th August were the most successful of 
the season, the catch landed giving an average of fully 48 crans over the 
whole fleet for each of these weeks. The highest daily average was 
reached on 12th July, when 266 boats had an average of about 32 crans 
each, but the largest catch was landed on the 23rd July, when 380 boats 
had an average of 25 crans. Almost the whole of the season's catch was 
got on the inshore grounds at a distance of from 1 to 25 miles from land. 
A large proportion of the fish consisted of small immature herrings, which 
was largely owing to the early commencement of the fishing. The price 
per cran ranged from 3s. 9d. to 23s., according to the quality and the 
quantity landed. The weather during the season was remarkably good, there 
being only one night on which the whole fleet remained in harbour. On 
the 25th of July a hired man belonging to Lochinver, Sutherlandshire, fell 
overboard, and was drowned, being the only loss of life during the year. 
A considerable quantity of netting was lost by sinking with weight of 
fish, and fouling on the inshore grounds. Several boats sustained 
damage. One vessel was employed in the deep-sea fishing, and succeeded 
fairly well. 
From 20 to 30 boats were engaged in the winter herring fishing, and 
landed during the months of January and February close on 2000 crans, 
the most of which were prepared as kippers. The total quantity of 
herrings cured during the year amounted to 228,933 barrels, against 
128,571 in 1888. 
