18 
Appendices to Eighth Annual Report 
Stornoway District. 
The Islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, and 
the smaller Islands within this range ; also St Kilda. 
District Fishery Office — Stornoivay. 
Herring fishing began at Stornoway early in January, and continued 
thereafter with fair success until 14th April, when the fishermen agreed 
to observe a close time, and fishing was accordingly suspended. On expiry 
of the close time on 15th May, what is termed the summer fishing 
began, at which a fleet of 1,121 boats were employed, 188 of these being 
boats belonging to the district, 550 fishing in the Stornoway section, and 
571 in Barra section, the industry being prosecuted from 9 stations. The 
average take per boat in Stornoway section was 106 crans, and in Barra 
section 18 crans. The total quantity of herrings cured in both sections 
was 81,520 barrels, being 50,283 barrels less than the preceding year. 
Of the total quantity cured, Stornoway section contributed 68,901 barrels, 
and Barra section 12,619 barrels; the former section thus showing a 
decrease of 41,491 barrels under the preceding year, and the latter a 
decrease of 8792 barrels. 19,797 crans were kippered, and 4940 crans 
were sold for consumption fresh or lightly salted, these being all disposed 
of in the home markets, and amounting to only about half the quantity 
so used in the preceding year. 
The decrease in the catch of this year was no doubt due to the unfavour- 
able weather which prevailed during the summer. Calms were almost 
incessant, and the boats could therefore neither reach the best fishing 
ground nor return therefrom when herrings had been got. To meet this 
difficulty 3 or 4 large steamers were employed almost daily picking up 
successful boats at sea and bringing them to Stornoway. 
During the summer the most productive fishing ground was, as formerly, 
in the vicinity of the Butt of Lewis, but during winter and spring most of 
the herrings were found quite close to shore. The herrings taken 
were of a fair quality. During the week ended 25th May, 12,833 crans 
were landed at Stornoway, that being the best week's catch of the season. 
The largest single take, the result of a night's fishing, was 104 crans. 
At Barra the fishing was irregular, and while some boats landed 100 
crans for the season, others did not land as many herrings. The best 
fishing was obtained at Barra during the week ended 15th June, when 
3039 crans were landed. It was estimated that the fishermen at Storno- 
way realised, on an average, 22s. per cran for their season's catch, but in 
consequence of the engagements which were generally made at Barra the 
herrings landed there cost the curers 50s. per cran. Based on these calcula- 
tions the produce of the herring fishing of the district was valued at 
,£87,354, and though the catch was a third less than the previous year, the 
value was greater by .£10,200. 
39,802J barrels of herrings were sent direct from the district to Con- 
tinental ports; and of that number 33,117 were shipped for St Peters 
burg. The number exported was, therefore, 15,087 J barrels less than in 
the preceding year. In proportion to the catch landed, a larger quantity 
of herrings were sent to Continental markets than in the previous year. 
The fine flavour of the herrings of this district is much esteemed in foreign 
markets. Barra herrings being scarce, and of excellent quality, occa- 
sionally realised in Hamburg and St Petersburg prices equal to <£8 per 
barrel. The trade in Stornoway kippers is still important, and it is 
