56 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
Great Yarmouth provides at least one mile of quay-landing 
during the season, and I have often seen the whole of the river- 
frontage fully occupied with Yarmouth and Scotch boats 
delivering their catches, the result of one or two nights' fishing. 
And when I quote the following figures, I think you will agree 
that the trade done in these wily creatures is of the utmost 
importance as a food-supply question. There were caught in 
1883, 19,355 lasts; in 1884, 23,872 lasts; in 1885, 15,793 lasts; 
in 1886, 21,000 lasts; in 1887, 18,346 lasts. Or an average 
of 19,673 lasts for the past five years, equivalent to 259,683,600 
fish. 
For the fishermen the price his goods fetches is, of course, 
a matter of no little import, and it is only reasonable that they 
who toil and spin and plough, though it be in ploughing the angry 
billows, should be able to live by their manly efforts. The 
depression felt in general trade and commerce did not stop short 
when Neptune's hosts were to be dealt with. 1886 was very 
disastrous to the toilers of the deep. The past season, however, 
was very much better, owing to various causes, quite natural 
in their operation. The quality of the fish was a great improve- 
ment, and the foreign markets were much better ; the weather 
also was not so hot generally during the time the export trade was 
brisk. The prices during 1886 at Yarmouth averaged about £5 
per last; whilst in 1887 they reached £9 per last, which enabled 
all concerned to just tide over the difficulties of the season 
preceding. 
It may be interesting to note just one or two exceptional 
catches, which will give you some idea of the large numbers of 
herrings that swim in company. 
The Lily of Yarmouth landed in one day 25 1 lasts, the Problem 
25 lasts 1 thousand, principally salted at sea. The largest single 
catch of fresh herrings, the result of one night's fishing, was 13 
lasts by one boat, being equal to 171,600 fish. 
Taking the total amount turned over in the market, and putting 
down the return as stated, no less than £165,114 was brought 
into Great Yarmouth this past season from the sea, where it is 
true that only reaping is done, but at times at no little loss of 
life and property. 
Lowestoft has a tale to tell almost equal to that of Yarmouth, 
though not quite so extensive. By making a reduction of about 
