The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-19 00:00:00

LONDON,'


19,

1818.

----- -
; LARGE SHOALS Or HERIZINGS•
Weeks have now elapsed since the most multitu-
dinous of all the tinny tribes appeared in unwm iced
shoals in the Solway Frith; and, should the weather
continue calm and settled, an opinion prevails arnong
residents on the coast that they bid fair to people :their
present habitats perhaps a month longer. In
the olden time marine industry rewarded 'well
continued exertion; although, even then, fr
rim / all 'fte can learn, herrings, in any g
isi reat m-
bers, were
,never exactly annual vtants, nu
as they are in
.t.ochfine, and many other estuaries
and arms of the sea. But, from whatever cause—
neglect on the land, or desertion from the waters—
there was little to boast of in this branch of service
.
for a period of more than forty years. Octogenarians.
and others, however partial to the past, in recounting
with glee the splendid hauls taken in their young
days, at the same time admit that they remember
nothing at all to be compared with .the present
extraordinary season. The shoals, it is said,
extend to miles on miles ; and from beyond
Whitehaven, as far as Sarkfoot, every tide that
flows is instinct with myriads of scaly life. In
repeated instances the nets have been torn by the
weight of their loads ; and when the tide recedes
they present not a glimmering, but an opaque sur-
face, with no daylight visible through the tiny count-
less meshes, every one of which contains its herring.
i
Nor is this remark confined to one; for t is equally
applicable to several border parishes—such as Ruth_
well, Cummertrees, Annan, Dornock, and even por-
tions of Gretna. Along the coast of Cumberland, as
far as the sea flows from west to east, the fishermen
are equally busy, and, we believe, still mire success-
ful; for in place of relying altogether on stake nets,
many piscators push boldly to the Scottish side, and
often fill their boats between the flow and reflux
of a single tide. From the difficulty of disposing of
so many cargoes in a fresh state, salting is resorted
to by all. On Saturday last we rounded the well-
known peninsula, of which Dumfries is the handle
and Caerlaverock the blade; and at every little
distance were at no loss for ocular demonstration of
the teeming abundance of the herring harvest. In
a former article under this head we stated that from
forty to fifty persons, young and old; were engaged
in taking, gutting, and salting herrings; but their
numbers have increased greatly since, and Mr.
: Anderson now estimates them at fully 200, including
. all the farmers and cotters in the parish. Many of
the latter are profiting day after day by the great
windfall; and our informant doubts whether there
will be any necessity for imposing a poor-rate in
Caerlaverock during the approaching winter! Would
that the Irish were similarly situated, although many
of them, it is to be feared, are too lazy to avail
themselves of the blessing, were it placed within
their reach. tip to Saturday, the tenant of Sher-
rington had consumed a ton of salt, and cured 2in S
barrels all, apart from the quantities he was
importuned to sell fresh; in fact, he had run short of
cooper's gearing, and accordingly ordered a fresh
supply. That they will keep well in salt he has
no doubt; and, as regards quality, he considers
them preferable to the Orkney herrings which are •
sold at 225. per barrel. That herrings visited the Sol-
way in no inconsiderable quantities, last year, is a
fact no longer doubted in Caerlaverock. Fair warn-
ing was given at the time by the veteran Mr. Grier-
son and others; but from the lengthened suspension
of use and wont, the disappearance and impaired con-
dition of nets, no exertion was made in the slightest
degree commensurate with the opportunities offered.
But no similar mistake will he committed hereafter,
now that fishing material has been amply provided,
but on the contrary, herring statistics, diligently
watched, and advantage taken of appearances so long
as they continue favourable, and promise rewards
worthy of the labourer's trouble.—Dumfries Courier.