Dr Hibbert on the Discovery of the Shetland Cod-barik. 147 
Tfhich fished nearly the whole season on the bank, or contigu- 
ously to it, took 11,000 fish, equal to 39 ton of wet fish, or 1$ 
ton of dried fish. I was indeed informed, that upon one 
occasion, a vessel with six hands took, in a single tide or day, 
1200 fish. The general result of the fishery, however, of last 
year, could not fairly represent the productiveness of the bank, 
since the vessels which constantly resorted thither were com- 
paratively few. Notwithstanding, thirteen vessels, from 10 to 35 
tons burden, and having from six to eight hands each, fished, up- 
on an average of each, 12 tons of dried fish ; when, in previous 
years, the average was 3 or 4 tons less. During this year, how- 
ever, a fair trial of the bank was made. The fishing season 
commenced in May and terminated in August. The number 
of vessels on the bank were increased from thirteen to twenty- 
five, and were of various sizes, from 10 to 60 tons burden, and 
manned with from six to 12 hands each, boys included. The 
average quantity of cod taken, was much greater than that of 
previous years, being not less than 15 tons of dried fish for each 
vessel, when, prior to the year 1818, a sloop often took only 
6 or 7 tons, and never at the utmost exceeded in this respect 
12 tons. Some vessels, however, this year are understood to 
hav eobtained from 20 to 25 tons each. 
Having now put on record every circumstance relating to the 
recent discovery of the cod-bank, connecting, at the same time, 
this information with what is historically known of the cod 
fishing of the Dutch, nothing more remains for me than to state, 
as concisely as possible, the obstacles, as well as encouragements, 
which appear to be incidental to the discovery. 
The obstacles incidental to the present mode of conducting 
the fishery, chiefly refer to the subject of proper bait. That 
which is used by the Shetland fishermen consists of the common 
mussel, the Mytilus modiolus or yoags, a large species of 
whelk, and other shell-fish common to almost every northern 
coast. These are found very abundantly in the numerous voes 
and inlets of the country. Now, the vessels depending for a 
supply of bait upon the coast are often obliged, when run short, 
to quit the fishing-bank with all expedition : they thus encounter 
a considerable loss. When the Dutch prosecuted the Shetland 
cod-fishery, they depended for bait, in the first instance, upon a 
K 2 
