148 
COD. 
the reign of James the First, when 150 vessels were 
employed off the coast of Iceland in the cod fishery. 
The famous banks of Newfoundland are now the 
well-known resort of our fishermen, and the num- 
ber of this useful fish which is caught there is al- 
most beyond calculation. The great bank, which 
lies on the southern and western side of Newfound- 
land, stretches from north-east to south-west, about 
two hundred leagues. The sea on the great bank 
varies in depth from twenty-two to fifty fathoms, 
and its situation is generally known by a thick fog 
on that part of the water, and a great swell. 
The cod fishery is of such importance to this 
country, that whatever relates to it cannot fail to 
be acceptable to the British reader: we shall there- 
fore make no apology for introducing the following 
account of the manner in which these fish are caught 
and cured. 
i( The boats or shallops (employed in this fishery) 
are forty feet in the keel, rigged with a main-mast 
and foremast, and lug sails ; furnished with four 
oars, three of which row on one side, and the other 
(which is twice as large) belays the other three, by 
being rowed sideways over the stern, by a man 
who stands up for that purpose, with his face to- 
wards the rowers, counteracting them, and steering 
at the same time as he gives way to the boat. 
« Each of the men in this boat is furnished with 
two lines, one at each side of the boat, each fur- 
nished with two hooks ; so here are sixteen hooks 
