BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 349 
would lead to a crowding of vessels at times which would be more dan- 
gerous than fleeting .” 1 
Of course, where the fishing grounds are near the home port, and the 
fish can easily be taken to market in an absolutely fresh condition, as 
at Brixham, for instance, the single-boating system prevails, and wher- 
ever this is pursued each skipper is thrown upon his own resources in 
choosing his ground, shooting and hauling his trawl, as well as in the 
care of the fish and getting them to market. Where, however, as in the 
North Sea, the best fishing grounds lie at great distances, comparatively 
speaking, from the market ports, and, consequently, the vessels must be 
out several days, it sometimes happens that the fish are in poor con- 
dition before they arrive. This, therefore, is a serious objection to this 
system, which, notwithstanding, is preferred by many fishermen to fleet- 
ing, the latter being considered much more dangerous, especially in 
winter. The trawling fleets from many, if not most, of the large ports 
pursue the system of single boating in winter, and more or less of the 
vessels from all other places do likewise. 
A portion of the fleets, however, from Hull and Yarmouth follow 
the “fleeting 77 or “ boxing 77 system even in winter, and nearly all of 
the trawlers along the east coast of England adopt this method during 
the summer. Under this system arrangements are made for a number 
of vessels to trawl in company, thus forming a “ fleet 77 the movements 
of which are governed by an “admiral , 77 who is appointed pro tempore 
and who is known to be an expert and experienced fisherman. He 
decides where fishing shall be carried on, when the trawls shall be shot 
and hauled, and the movements of the other smacks are controlled by 
signals which the admiral makes. All the vessels in a fleet generally 
shoot and haul their trawls at the same time, and sail together on the 
same tack, in obedience to the signals made by the admiral, who, if 
may be mentioned, usually receives some extra pay for his services . 2 
Flags are used for signaling by day, and rockets or flares at night. 
“Each fleet has its own particular code , 77 writes Mr. Ansell, “one of 
which is the following: 
Admiral’s signals bg day. 
For sailing Flag at foremast head. 
For trawling Flag hauled down. 
Not to board Flag at mizzenmast head. 
Sailing before boarding Flag both mast-heads. 
Cutter wanted Flag half-mast. 
Report to the Board of Trade on the system of t deep-sea trawl fishing iu the North 
Sea, London, 1883. 
3 Mr. Samuel Plimsoll, chairman of the South London Market Company, in an arti- 
cle published in the London Fish Trades Gazette of June 2, 1883, states that the ad- 
miral receives, in addition to his pay as skipper, 3d. for each boat every time her fish 
are taken out by the steam carrier. 
