338 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
As a rule, when the trawl is out on the starboard tack, a guy is taken 
from the bow to the towing warp and securely fastened, or may be the 
bight of the hawser itself is taken up around the bow. This is a neces- 
sary precaution at night or in thick or rough weather, since all is 
then ready to tack ship, either to clear another vessel or to heave up the 
gear. If necessary, the trawl stopper is cast off, the jib-sheet slackened, 
the helm put down, and though she may have little way the vessel j 
works quickly, the towing warp pulling at her bow materially assisting 
her in stays. 
After the trawl is down, if it is during the day and reasonably good 
weather, the fourth hand — usually a lad of sixteen to eighteen years of 
age — keeps the watch, takes notice how the trawl is working, and looks 
out for signals from the admiral, if fishing in a fleet . 1 If fishing at night, j 
the watches are kept by the second and third hands. It is a part of the 
duty of the watch to trim the sails, if necessary, and to note any change 
in the wind, as well as to observe how the trawl is working. By feeling 
the warp outside the rail one can easily tell whether the trawl is work- 
ing right or not. A jerky, irregular motion, as though the trawl was 
constantly being caught on something, shows that it does not keep 
steadily on the bottom, or is evidence that it is going over rough ground, 
or possibly that it has capsized. If, however, the vibration is regular 
and comparatively slight, the experienced fisherman knows at once that 
the apparatus is going all right. 
According to Mr. Hellyer, the best way to tell whether a trawl is up- 
set or not is to put the ear down to the warp outside of the rail, though, 
as stated above, an experienced trawler will generally be able to tell 
whether his gear is fishing or not by putting his hand on the warp. 
4. To Change the Tack with the Trawl out. 
It often happens, especially when fishing at night, that, owing to a 
change of tide, or because a vessel may have reached the limit of suit- 
able ground, she is obliged to change her tack, if possible without up- 
setting her trawl, since in the latter case the gear would have to be hove 
up or else no fish would be taken. Of course, the gear could be hove up 
at the start, but this would cause the loss of much valuable time and 
perhaps two hours or more of good fishing; besides, the crew would be i 
forced to do extra labor, and also have their night’s rest broken. 
(<%). To wear the Trawl around. 
When the tide is swinging around u by the lee,” or when the wind is 
moderate, it is generally found the safest, in order to prevent the gear 
from upsetting, to wear the trawl around. This is done as follows : If 
towing on the starboard tack, with an ordinary breeze of wind, the bight 
of the trawl- warp is stoppered near the stern with a stout piece of rope, 
1 Littld day fishing is done except in summer, and at that season the majority of 
the North Sea vessels, at least, fish in fleets. 
