890 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES ElSH COMMISSION. 
of the bottom whatever; its sole use is to extend the mouth of the net, 
and if it were to touch the ground, as many persons believe it does, it 
would effectually frighten away the fish and prevent their going into 
the net.” 1 
4. Methods of Fishing. 
The methods of fishing, so far as shooting and hauling the trawl are 
concerned, are essentially the same, according to M. Duchochois, as 
those adopt* d by English fishermen. 
B. Belgium. 2 
According to M. Jules Le Lofrain, there are about 222 vessels em- 
ployed in the beam-trawl fisheries from Belgium; 170 of these sailing 
from Ostend and the remaining 52 from Heyst and Blankenberghe. 
There are also 22 small boats, commonly called u sloops,” engaged in 
this fishery on the Belgian coast. The foregoing will give an idea of 
the importance of the trawl-fishery of Belgium, though it should be 
stated that some of the vessels do not, like the English, pursue this busi- 
ness throughout the year, but frequently engage in other branches of 
the fisheries. 
1. Fishing Grounds. 
The fishing grounds resorted to are essentially the same as those upon 
which the English pursue their work in the North Sea. 
✓ 
* 
2. Vessels. 
The vessels employed in beam-trawling from Belgium are of two 
classes. The larger and more important type so closely resembles the 
English ketch-rigged trawler that the description given of the latter 
will apply as well to the Belgian smack, which differs from the other 
chiefly in having less rake to her stern-post, and, perhaps, in a less 
elaborate equipment for working the gear. A capstan exhibited in the 
Belgian section at London was of the old-fashioned type, and as this 
was intended to represent the kind used for heaving up beam trawls, 
it is evidently far less effective than the improved and powerful cap- 
stans carried on English trawlers. 
The other class of Belgian trawlers are large, open, clinker-built 
boats, very wide, with round bilge and flat bottom. They have a pecu- 
liar lug rig, average about 20 tons, and, like the “ bomschuiten ” of Hol- 
land, are specially designed for fishing from a coast where harbors are 
not easily accessible. 
1 Deep Sea Fishing, etc., pp. 57-58. 
2 The statements made here relative to the Belgian beam-trawl fisheries are based 
partly upon a study of models of vessels and full-sized apparatus exhibited at the 
International Fisheries Exhibition, London, 1883, and partly upon information very 
kindly furnished by Mons, Jules Le Lorrain, of Belgium, 
