Dr Hibbert on the Discovery cf the Shetland Cod-banJe. 145 
periment, determining the productiveness of the Orkney fishing- 
ground, would escape the notice of this gentleman, whose ardour 
and superior information on all subjects connected with natural 
history is well known, and it is not without very great reason 
that he feels some impatience at the apathy with which we have 
long regarded our northerly sources of wealths It may be pre- 
mised, that any observations which Mr Neill might make re- 
garding the fishery off the north of Orkney, would apply to 
the southerly commencement of the cod-bank of Shetland. 
We weighed anchor,'”* says that gentleman, “ in the after- 
noon, and got under way with a gentle breeze. The sailors, 
being provided with strong lines, we here lay to, and fished for 
cod and haddock. So abundant were these kinds of fish in this 
place, that in an hour our deck was strewed with about fifty 
fine firm cod-fish, besides some haddocks of a large size. This 
was not two miles distant from Papa Westray ; yet we saw no 
boat engaged in this rich fishery I How supine is such con- 
duct,” (p. 67.) 
I am now glad to find, that the too well-founded charge of 
supineness, is for the first time likely to be totally removed, by 
the exertions of the gentlemen of Shetland, which have been 
made this season, and which are in the progress of being ex- 
tended to an unprecedented degree. 
It is, I believe, about ten or twelve years, since a few vessels, 
from six to thirty-five tons burthen, and carrying from six to 
eight hands, first prosecuted a desultory and uncertain fishing 
for cod off the coasts of Shetland. They seldom went farther 
to look for fish than the immediate neighbourhood of Foula 
and Fair Isle ; and their success in general was very limited. 
To some of the vessels thus employed the discovery of the bank 
is due. The first knowledge of its existence is contended for 
by three or more parties ; but the great probability is, that it 
was simultaneous, since the same cause, which was the uncom- 
mon fine spring of 1818, caused almost every vessel to seek 
for fish, at a more than usual distance from the coasts of Shet- 
land, and finding a very abundant supply off the north of Ork- 
ney, in the vicinity of the place which attracted Mr Neill's at- 
tention, they fell in with the track of the cod-bank. The prio- 
rity of the discovery is, however, most in favour of the vessels 
VOL. II. KO. S. JANUARY 18^. 
K 
