THE FISHING INDUSTRY OF THE WEST. 261 
which only fifty hours before was struggling to get free from our 
fishermen’s fatal grip. 
After a few remarks upon Fishing Legislation, the lecturer 
proceeded ; 
Good harbours, for the protection of our fishing vessels, are of 
more than ordinary importance. Many of our fishing ports suffer 
considerably from a dearth of harbour accommodation. Brixham, 
Mevagissey, Newlyn, and St. Ives, for years past have been 
fighting against enormous difficulties in this respect, and thousands 
of pounds of damage have been done to our fishing fleet during 
the past few years, through want of harbour accommodation. 
Newlyn has begun to deal with this in a very determined way, 
by the erection of a south pier, or breakwater, to be followed by 
a northern arm, which, when completed, will give shelter to 
many hundred boats. 
St. Ives is also beginning to stir, and it is to be hoped that 
other fishing ports will be able to follow on, and build new 
harbours, or improve their present inefficient ones. 
It is satisfactory to know that a considerable number of our 
fishermen belong to that valuable arm of our Volunteer forces, 
the Naval Reserve, and that its popularity among them does not 
decline, but is increasing in favour. 
Just a few words about the fishermen themselves, and I have 
finished. 
It is generally supposed that they are a rough and uncultivated 
class of men; but this is not entirely the truth. Fishing is a 
rough-and-ready calling, and admits of no squeamish formalities. 
Having to battle with the forces of Nature, by day and night 
alike, under most trying circumstances, makes them appear some- 
what unrefined; yet under this there is a fellow-feeling that is 
both strong and tender, and which is transparent to a degree 
whenever circumstances call it forth. And, though unlettered, 
they are most sagacious ; for they can navigate their boats in all 
weathers, and at all times, with an accuracy that is perfectly 
astonishing, and very frequently act as pilots in the middle of the 
sea to captains of large vessels, who are supposed to be not only 
sailors, but nautical men in the strictest sense of the word. And 
as one of themselves, I would humbly ask any who feel an 
VOL, IX. T 
