MR. C. STACY-WATSON ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
151 
Tho total catch of the North Sea and Home fishings was 
as follows: 22,304, against 20,921, showing a net increase of 
1443 lasts. 
There were 538 boats engaged in these fishings, viz. : 
Boats Boats 
Out of Yarmouth . 147 Local 142 Scotch 
„ Lowestoft .191 „ 58 „ 
838 200 
employing about 5000 men and boys. 
The highest catch by a local boat was just over 18 lasts, and its' 
arrival created quite a flutter of excitement for awhile. 
November, in spite of the stormy weather, was productive of the 
largest catches : 
For the week ending November 1st, 2297 lasts 
„ ,. „ 8th, 2295 „ 
4592 „ 
z.e., 4592 lasts were landed from local boats at Yarmouth, equal to 
GO, 014,400 lish, or about 8,000 tons; allowing five tons to a railway 
wagon, this fortnight’s catch would occupy 1007 wagons or fifty-three 
trains of thirty wagons each. 
The prices realised during this season varied much in the month 
of September, hut became firm in October and continued so to the 
end ; during November they had advanced, until fresh Herrings 
reached £25 per last; Bloater “stuff,” .£15 ; Salt £10 ; and one day 
over-day Fresh realised £27 10s. • 
The earnings of the boats have been fairly good throughout, the 
highest reaching £1300, and several £800 to £1000. The average 
for local boats is estimated to be £050, this is somewhat less than 
last year. The Scotch fishermen also returned home with well-lined 
purses, the exceptionally fortunate ones having earned over £300. 
For the first part of the season the weather was very fine, but 
from the date of the storm on the 1 0th of October, it continued 
fickle, sometimes very fine, and then developing sudden energy, so 
that the loss of property was great. 
Yarmouth has this year seen a revival of the old Dutch practice 
of sending their vessels and buyers here for Herrings. It was 
a quaint sight to see these fishermen in their long bright-coloured^ 
hose worn outside of their trousers, and white wooden shoes, the 
VOL. VI. 
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