FISHING VESSELS AND BOATS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
47 
ports unless it is absolutely necessary for them to do so in order to market their catch, 
since it is requisite that they should enter and clear at the custom-house whenever 
they arrive at San Francisco or San Diego. 
The following are the principal dimensions of the one above described : 
Length feet . . 54 
Beam *. do... 12 
Depth ofhold do... 4 
Tonnage, net tons.. 14.30 
31. Chinese fishing canoe . — Among the various kinds of boats used by the Chi- 
nese fishermen on the coast of California is a type that is practically a long, narrow, 
flat-bottomed canoe, sharp at both ends, with the bottom pretty wide in the middle and 
the sides flaring moderately (see plate xvi.) This is used extensively on San Fran- 
cisco Bay, and is in favor among the Chinese shrimp fishermen, though it is also utilized 
in other fisheries. It is entirely open, with two thwarts and two large platforms, one 
of the latter being in each end of the boat, a short distance from the bow and stern, 
respectively. About one-sixth of the boat’s length from each end, and directly opposite 
the platforms mentioned, are bumpkins, which project from each side a distance of 
several inches. The bottom is tolerably straight in the middle, but has a good deal of 
camber at the ends. The boat has a moderate amount of sheer at the top. 
This type of boat is propelled by both sail and oars. The mast, on which is set a 
lateen sail, is stepped about one-third the boat’s length from the bow; the sheet of the 
sail trims to the after bumpkins, and the tack is fastened to the bow. When running 
before the wind the tack is loosened so that the yard lays at nearly right angles to the 
mast, the sheet of the sail being taken down amidships. Boats of this class vary from 
15 to 20 feet in length, are managed by two or three Chinamen, and are employed in 
the general coast fisheries of California, though most commonly found in San Fran- 
cisco Bay. They are constructed in a rough manner, and their cost is comparatively 
trifling. They are convenient, however, for landing on beaches, or for working in 
shallow water. They sail well, running free, and are light and buoyant in a sea way. 
The following are the dimensions of one of them : * 
Feet. Inches. 
Length, over all 20 0 
Beam 3 11 
Width of bottom amidships 2 4 
Depth, amidships 1 71 
Mast, total length 15 0 
Yard, length 20 10$ 
32. Chinese fishing sldffs . — The Chinese fishermen on the coast of California, and 
particularly at Monterey, use a skiff-like boat that appears to combine many of the 
features of the American fishing dory and the bateau or sharpy skiff 1 , both types of 
which are employed to a greater or less extent on the Pacific coast. The Chinese boat, 
however, has certain distinctive features that are not found elsewhere among the small 
craft employed in the American fisheries. It is a flat-bottomed, sharp-bowed craft, with 
flaring sides and strong sheer. The forward section has a marked resemblance to the 
bow of a dory. The bottom near the stern curves up sharply and there is no skag. 
* The dimensions, as well as the typical description, are based upon a model obtained by the U. S. 
Fish Commission, and now in the fishery collection in the National Museum at Washington, D. C. 
