50 
MR. T. J. WIGG ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
In working these boats, over 3,000 men and boys were employed. 
The number of Home boats was the same as last year ; one or 
two which bad dropped out being replaced by new steamduggers. 
The number of Scotch boats was an increase of about 15 on last 
year. They came from the following ports : — -Arbroath 2, Banff 50, 
Berwick 19, Fraserburgh 16, Inverness 22, Kirkcaldy 36, Leith 31, 
Montrose 10, Peterhead 4, Wick 10. 
During October some splendid catches were effected by both 
Home and Scotch boats. I have been able to obtain analyses of 
the biggest catches, which are as follows : — 
1 boat had 23 lasts. 
3 boats had 17 lasts each. 
6 
) j 
between 14 and 15 lasts each. 
14 
JJ 
„ 12 and 14 „ 
11 
i) 
„ 10 and 12 „ 
10 
„ 8 and 10 „ 
Analyses of the Scotch catches : — 
1 boat had 13 lasts. 
2 boats had between 12 and 13 lasts each. 
5 „ „ 10 and 12 „ 
43 „ „ 7 and 10 „ 
42 „ „ 6 and 7 „ 
As an illustration of the cosmopolitan character of the Fish Wharf 
at this time of the year, it may be mentioned that one day some 
cause for slight altercation arose between the crews of some of 
the boats lying there. Those concerned represented the following 
nationalities : — English, Scotch, and French, and in addition 
a Dutchman was acting as interpreter. 
As I have before stated, the ’99 fishery was a record one for 
quantity of fish, and for prices obtained by the catchers. The 
Yarmouth season was later in commencing, probably owing to the 
exceptionally hot summer retarding the Herrings in their southward 
migrations. The Scotch fishing at Stornaway was practically 
a failure; yet, at the close of the season there, and when most 
of the boats had left, huge shoals put into those waters. Later 
the fishing on the East Coast of Scotland was likewise a failure, 
the Herrings during the recognised season being very scarce ; but 
after the majority of the boats had left for the south at the usual 
periods, vast shoals of Herrings were met with by the few boats 
remaining at Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, &c., but they 
