IMPROVEMENT OF FISHING-BOATS.

In consequence of the frequent loss of life through the foundering of fishing-boats on the coast of the United Kingdom, it appeared to the Committee of the National Life-boat Institution that the safety of the larger class of open and halfdecked fishing-boats on our coast might be greatly increased by enabling them to be made temporarily insubmergible, in the event of their being overtaken by gales of wind when at long distances from the land.

No doubt was entertained by practical persons on the coast, who were consulted on the subject, of the need of such improvement, and of the feasibility of the plan proposed to effect it; but the coast boatmen being an inert class, not readily departing from what they have been accustomed to, it was not thought likely that they would themselves initiate any such changes, however needed.

The Committee, therefore, decided to build a few pattern. boats, and to place them at some of the principal fishing stations, in the hands of experienced and trustworthy boatmen, to whom they would be lent or let at a small percentage on their earnings, for a period of twelve months; at the end of which time they might be sold, and would remain in the several localities where placed as samples, from which the other local boats might be improved in a similar manner.

As these boats would be seen by large numbers of fishermen from different places at their chief ports of rendezvous during the fishing seasons, it was considered that it might not be necessary to build any large number in order to make them generally known, and that a short period would suffice for those to whom they were entrusted to form a correct estimate of their properties.

In the event of the experiment proving successful, it was believed that a great boon would thus be conferred on the fishermen and other boatmen of certain classes on the coast, as not only would numberless lives and boats be saved that in

course of time would otherwise be lost, but that the boats would often be able to remain at sea and safely continue their fishing in threatening weather, instead of returning to the shore, at great pecuniary loss to their crews, as is now too frequently the

case.

Five of such boats were accordingly ordered-three to be built in Scotland, one at Yarmouth, and one by the builders to the Institution in London. Two of the boats built in Scotland, one at Peterhead and the other at Anstruther, have been tested and are now at work, having already afforded the utmost satisfaction to their crews, as will be seen from the following extracts from letters received at the Institution. Captain A. Sim, Hon. Sec. of the Lossiemouth Branch of the Institution, writing from that place on March 18, states :-The safety fishing-boat sailed from Granton Harbour on Wednesday, the 13th inst., at 6 A.M., and was here the following day at 5 P.M., after lying to for some time off Peterhead, thus making the voyage in thirty-six-hours -no bad test of her sailing qualities. She has been very much admired here by all the fishermen; in fact, the seafaring population are unanimous in their opinion that she is just the thing for this coast, and I trust she may be the beginning of a new era in decked boats.'

Wm. Boyd, Esq., Hon. Sec. of the Peterhead Branch, also writes on the same date :-'You will be glad to hear that the new safety fishing-boat gives very great satisfaction. John Geddes, the life-boat coxswain, lay alongside the Lossiemouth boat in the Frith of Forth, and declares that she is a fast sailer, having accomplished the run from here to Granton in thirteen hours. She works well and satisfactorily, but she had not experienced such bad weather as would thoroughly try her safety powers.'

The interior fittings of the boats have been so arranged as not to interfere with their everyday work, yet so as to enable them to be quickly made insubmergible.

This object has been effected, as is clearly shown in the eight diagrams and explanations prepared by the Society: 1st. By making the usual forecabin a water-tight compartment, the access to it being by a water-tight hatch in the deck, instead

of an open door at the side. 2nd. By making the usual compartment at the stern also water-tight. 3rd. By running a side deck along either side, as in barges and in some of the smaller class of yachts, called well-boats. Thus leaving a large open main hatchway, of sufficient size for conveniently working the nets, yet which, by the aid of coamings and hatches, and a water-tight tarpaulin, stowed away in the hold or forecabin in fine weather, could in a few minutes, on the occurrence of bad weather, be securely covered over so that no water could get access to the hold on a heavy sea breaking over the boat.

The inspection of a common coasting-barge with her hatches on and covered over, will convey an exact idea of the simple manner in which the above arrangements are carried out.

The size of these boats, viz. length 40 feet, width 14 feet, depth amidships 7 feet, has been selected as the most convenient size for use both in line and net fishing. A sixth boat, however, 45 feet long by 15 feet wide, is about to be built for Anstruther, where the fishing-boats go as far as 100 miles from the land to fish, and have lines on board of the total length of 23,500 yards, or nearly 13 miles, which require a large space to stow them away all coiled in baskets, besides a cargo of fish.

The Committee of the National Life-boat Institution entertain sanguine hopes that this experiment will be ultimately productive of much benefit, both by saving life and property.

In conclusion, it may be stated that the National Life-boat Institution has been engaged during the last two or three years in perfecting this model of the safety fishing-boat. Captain J. R. Ward, R.N., its Inspector of Life-boats, has visited during that period some of the principal fishing stations on the coast of the United Kingdom, with the view of eliciting from the most experienced fishermen practical suggestions, to be incorporated in the construction of the boat; so that thus she may be correctly termed an omnium gatherum safety fishing-boat. It may also be mentioned that the drawings of the boat have been furnished by Mr. Joseph Prowse, of Her Majesty's dockyard, Woolwich, who, with the kind permission of the Admiralty, superintends the building of all the life-boats of the Institution.

273

THE SAFETY FISHING-BOAT OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL
LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

The accompanying figures show the general form, the nature of the fittings, air-compartments, shifting-coamings, and hatches of one of the safety boats, 40 feet in length and 14 feet in breadth.

In figs. 86 and 87 the elevation and deck-plans, and the general exterior form of the boat are shown, with the sheer of gunwale, length of keel, and rake of stem and stern-post.

The dotted lines of fig. 86 show the position of the compartments, bulkheads masts, pumps, thwarts, and shifting flat or deck. a, Scuttle in boat's side above the side-decks. b. Scupper in the boat's side above the stern deck. c, Screw plug, to drain the stern compartment.

In fig. 87, A represents the open hatchways of the main-hold, to be covered with portable hatches and a water-tight tarpaulin cover in gales of wind; B, shifting-coamings for the hatches; C, the site-deck; D, the forecastle-deck; and E, the stern-deck.

T

Fig. 88 represents a section at the after air-compartment, showing the thwart, and crutch to receive the mast, and the stern-deck.

In fig. 89 the exterior form of transverse sections, at different distances from stem to stern, is shown.

Fig. 90 represents a section at the fore air-compartment, showing the thwart and mast.

In fig. 91 the shifting-coamings over the main-hold are shown, with the portable hatches (H) in place, and (1) the shifting deck or flat.

Fig. 92 represents a midship transverse section. F the thwart, C the sidedeck, B the shifting-coaming over the fore-hold, (1) the shifting deck or flat, and H the hatches in place.

Fig. 93 represents a section abaft the foremost bulkhead, showing the shifting-coaming (B) and portable hatches (H) in place, and (1) the shifting deck or flat.