162 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
In the new tongs, the long, cumbersome pole handles are done away with, and a 
single rope is substituted. This point of course overcomes the one great objection to 
the old tongs — that the latter are suited only for shallow water. The advantage of 
the new form shows itself in the next improvement, made necessary by the withdrawal 
of the lever-like action of the handles in approximating the two series of teeth. In 
order to compensate for the absence of leverage by handles, it was required that some 
modification should be made in the structure of the arms and teeth. This was brought 
about in the way indicated in the accompanying illustration, which exhibits a pair of 
deep-water tongs as they would appear when first reaching bottom.* 
The new tongs consist of two curved iron bars so riveted together near the middle 
as to jiermit of free motion on each other, and attached on one extremity to the teeth 
and cradles, and on the other to the rope by which the apparatus is lowered and 
raised. Immediately beneath the crossing point of the two arms a weight is sus- 
pended, which plays an important part in the workings of the tongs. To the upper 
bar of one side, an iron link or loop is attached by means of a staple, and on the lower 
bai', just below the link, is a small iron peg or stud, over which the link fits when the 
teeth are separated to their greatest extent. When the oysteriug begins, the arms 
are “ locked,” as indicated, by means of the loop and peg, and lowered over the side 
of the boat or vessel until the bottom is reached. If it be ascertained by gently 
raising and lowering the apparatus that the bottom is probably covered with oysters, 
the tongs are suddenly dropped from the height of a few feet from the bottom, and 
by virtue of the presence of the weight referred to the loop slips off the pin and the 
teeth will then approach each other when the rope is hauled taut. 
The weights on the ends of the arms, as shown in the figure, are not always pres- 
ent ; and, under certain similar conditions, the middle line, running from the crossing- 
point of the arms to the top of the bridle, and on up to the boat, can also be dispensed 
with. When these two adjuncts are employed, it is possible to operate the tongs 
without the aid of the middle weight and the loop-and-peg attachment. 
In very shallow water, and where oysters are not plentiful, the middle weight is 
removed and the apparatus is lowered to the bottom by the use of the middle line, the 
tongs being kept open by the adjustable weights on the arms, without the intervention 
of the loop. In raising the tongs, the middle line is slackened and the teeth are 
brought together and kept closed by drawing on the rope that is attached to the 
upper part of the bridle. 
Where the fishery is carried on in very deep water or oysters lie thickly on the 
bottom, both the middle line and arm weights are removed, and the middle weight and 
loop are alone employed. The tongs are locked in an open position and thrown over- 
board. When the apparatus strikes the bottom the link is automatically tripped or 
jolted olf the pin, and the tongs are then closed by means of the single line going to 
the bridle. 
The piece of iron in the center varies from 12 to 30 pounds in weight. The 
greater weight is employed in deeji water and strong currents, while less is required 
in shallow and still water. 
The great simplicity of this apparatus increases its value in no small degree. 
* The figure shows the tongs rigged for both deep and shallow water, with weights on the arms and 
in the middle. The use of these is explained, 
