BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 375 
of the fish trade as conducted at Grimsby, which differ considerably from 
; the methods adopted in the United States. In a previous paragraph 
the statement has been made that Grimsby had little importance as a 
fishing port previous to 1858, when beam-trawling was first introduced. 
And for many years previous to 1800 the harbor was practically closed to 
; navigation by the accumulation of mud and silt at its mouth, which, in 
the reign of Charles 1, became so formidable “ that the smallest fishing 
vessels could with difficulty approach the town.” At present it has sev- 
I era! large docks, two of which are exclusively devoted to the fisheries, and 
known as the old and new “fish docks.” These have a total area of 23 
acres, with a market attached (on what is locally known as the “ pontoon”) 
1,600 feet in length ; on one side of which the smacks lay and discharge 
their cargoes, while on the other side stand the railway cars, or “fish 
vans,” upon which are sent away to Billingsgate and other markets the 
fish that are constantly arriving. These facilities for receiving, pack- 
ing, and shipping fish are as excellent as they are unique, and have 
resulted in an increase of the fish trade of Grimsby from between 4,000 
and 5,000 tons in 1858 to over 73,000 tons in 1882, while it is claimed 
that the population has about trebled itself, and the fleet increased from 
a few small smacks to about eight hundred sail of the finest fishing 
vessels in Great Britain. 
The following statements relative to the fish trade of the port are 
vouched for by three of the largest firms in Grimsby, and no doubt may 
be accepted as correct : 
“That Grimsby is unquestionably the largest and most promising 
fishing port in the kingdom may be seen by the following facts. In the 
year 1853 there were but 12 fishing vessels in this port, and no facilities 
for the trade whatever. At the present time there are 825 vessels be- 
longing to the port solely engaged in fishing, with an estimated regis- 
tered tonnage of 42,000, valued at £725,000, carrying 4,710 men and 
boys. Besides the above, the port is frequently visited by many Dutch 
and other fishing vessels for the sale of their cargoes. There are 50,000 
tons of ice imported annually, which is not only used by the smacks at 
sea, but for packing in the market, and is sent in various forms to all 
parts of the kingdom. 
‘‘The railway company has expended nearly half a million sterling 
in the making of docks and otherwise providing for the fishing trade, 
and are still extending and ever increasing. 
“From 2,000 to 20,000 live codfish, besides a large quantity of other 
fish, are kept ready for sale in boxes in the fishing dock. The advan- 
tages (offered to the trade) of Grimsby over other markets are found in 
the great variety, the constant supply, the means of storing fish alive, 
the many curing houses, the care and facilities given by the railway 
company, the superior quality by the adoption of steam trawlers and 
carriers, and the ready and cheap supply of ice. 
“Extensive business is now carried on with the far north of Scotland, 
