The New York herald., 1873-12-08


the entire coast. The district Tor exploration un-
der French authority is, therefore, very consider
area between TrIpoh and Gibraltar Coral fishing
is not entirely free Permission Is granted, SUB
ject 10 a license, the cost OF which was formerly
Sl60 (sC0 rancs), but has been reduced since the
commeI clal treaty with Italy has been In i0rce.
The lee is now $50, without any restriction in re-
gard TO the season. All kinds OF tackle may be
used except those fastened with iron bolts. All
material passes in and out OF the French custom
favored, the French population Ia AlPiers think
it very hard that their interest should be made
subservient. But, from all Information that can
be gathered, 1t seems manifest that France has ell
tlrely lost the ground, II, indeed. she ever held
any, with respect either to coral nshRg or trading
lower IN Italy than In France; and. with all his
reputation ior laZiness, the Italian undertakes
work which the sailors OF other nations refuse.
The Italian Is frugal In his habits, he Is sober and
economical, while the Freedman demands sub
stantiai nourshment and is otherwise fond OF this
worlds sweets, French sailor in the merchant
marine can earn from $l2 to $40 month there he
receives wine and enjoys comforts which insure
him rest at nights From all thus tne coral usher
ing tackle is procuraDle at lower rates In Italian
ports than by importation from France. Hemp,
Italy.
The Italians, on the eastern side, and the Span
mileage along the shores extending from Tripoh
to Gibraltar. The Algerians assert that
THE FOREIGN FISHERS
take from 5000 900 to $700 600 worth OF al
while they leave no money behind, save III the
shape OF rent tor the hnts which they occupy
during short stay ashore, and the value OF the
scanty supply OF provisions, The entire industry,
T. e. the manipulation OF the raw materials, IL lost
TO France. The complaints go even further, ana
the situation Is hkened to case where a gang OF
men, on crossing the frontiers, might take the
liberty OF cutting as much corkwood from French
forests as they chose. Such thing would not be
permissible; yet, the people assert. that the case
furnishes an analogy, and that all the benefit ac-
% $50. the license ae' paid i'I' by each @ be boat few
years ago it was shown tnat the cost OF
collecting the tax and OF inspecting coral
license has been reduced one half the former rate
and, therefore, the net revenue dwindled down to
about $4,000. The general opinion is that the IL
should not be less than $500 $500 per boat
but OF course, France Is bound to Italy by Teaty
stlpulatlons. Among other matters OF Importance
the question arises whether fishing should be per-
mitted throughout the year or limited to certain
periods, especially as inspection can only be enec
much as the port OF Bona, the government seat, Is
not always accessible. 1t has been tried to use
steam in the inspection, but abandoned as being
One OF the greatest difficulties which work
against the enterprise OF coral fishing is the impos-
% The large owners ' Or coral 1oas boats resident S
in Italy send everything from there that
Is necessary ar to their operations and they
But 1t is otherwise with the owners OF smaller
boats and with those Italians who reside in Al
giers. These poor people have to purchase day by
day the necessaries OF life as well as matters con-
corning the fishing tackle, to provide for repairs OF
people are forced to pay usurious rates OF interest
The rate is seldom less than 20 per cent and often
they are compelled to pay 80 per cent to procure
funds whereWlthal to purchase provisions. Again,
being in the hands OF money lenders, the fisherman
Is often under obligation to sell the produce OF o
hard days work at miserably low rates. The ques-
ton has been mooted to establish a bank for the
purpose OF rendering aid TO the fishermen, but
nothing practical has been effected so lar.
Coral fishing has no analogy with any other fish,
ing in European waters. Many persons are under
the impression that the collecting OF coral is attain
nIb buv drufn nftvnnu ~ fr,rn
may be found at depth OF not exceeding 10 yards
but these are exceptional cases. In the districts or
Dona' Bzerte m ana oner places on h Tue African
when the nets have to De thrown out varies from
40 to 60 fathoms, and in the immediate neighbor-
hood OF the island OF Cattle the net goes often to
depth OF 100 fathoms. Throughout the Mediter-
ranean waters the same process OF fishing is fol-
lowed out, though the men think there is q great
difference between one and another. But the diff
ference seems more or less matter OF details con-
s ad t. the the 1s nndns 81 oen the ss snns
@ Known e'S Of the Ss matter and nothing 0 has Deen
written regarding the details Of the fishing The
THE BOATS.
The boats are nearly all constructed In Italy,
They vary from to il tons, and. in exceptional
cases, 16 tons. The construction Is solid and SUBJ
ae Tbv sna te
large latteen sail and jb; sometimes a number
OF small sails being added. In outward appearance
the boats differ but little, the exception being the
hgurehead, which Is painted In gorgeous coors,
and not unfrequently ornamented with the image
OF our saviour or the Holy Virgin. Ait is the cap
stan. around which gather the crew, while the
forecaste is occupied by the Captain. II the pro-
pretor ,n OF boat goes ga,,. out m himself he
bunk to himself and there is another for
the mate. Amidships are kept the biscuits
and the water. The sailor, passing to and from
The Captain, dips his hand continually in the bis
cult box and eats while he Is holding the ropes or
sitting at the foot 0. the mast The boats are bal
lasted by means OF stones. inasmuch as the fish
ing tackle does not suffice properly to trim the
SHIP Tne smaller boats measure about six tons.
They go out manned by two or three men and
boy. They similar in build to the larger boats,
but return to port every night they cannot carry
provisions ike the larger boats. The latter keep
the sea ior two or three weeks, and longer II pos
sble.
THE FISHING TACKLE.
The fishing tackle, called "pengin," comprises
the nets and some pieces Ol wood and bars oil iron.
This is alike in all the boats The Spaniards, as
OF fishing from that OF the Italians, but there is, in
reality, no difference save in the size or other mat
THE MoDUs oPERANDL
Coral fishing is effected by throwing out nets to
Catch projecting pieces OF reef and surrounding
these pieces with the meshes. When the current
has well set in and the meshes become interlaced
with the projections the coral Is brought up by
means OF traction. The secret OF successful fish,
ing rests with proper distribution OF the nets so
as TO have the projecting parts OF the coral well
caught When well spread the pulling is, as q mat
tackle Is comI osed OF a wooden cross, I. e., two
spars tied crOsswlse to a large stone serving
ballast, ana 10 winch are attached variable num-
ber OF nets. The length of the spars forming the
cross varies according to the size OF the boat but
they are usually two yards more or less: the nets
several iathOms in length, with breadth OF one
yard, and MADE OF coarse hempen ropes, slightly
twisted aud about half an inch in thickness
Thirty to 40 packages complete the tackle, the
tire value Of which is about sac or $50 But, OF
course, 1t is quickly used up and requires to be ire
quently replaced by new tackle.
When the Captain thinks proper he orders the
tackle TO be thrown OUT the sails are set towards
the east as far as possible, wind and weather per-
hitting The strain on the nets must not be too
rapid, SO as to give time to attach the net TO the
rocks. So soon as the tackle has caught the speed
is further slackened to prevent premature break
age During the fine season the boats are often
becalmed, and then the men have to take to the
oars thus imposing additional labor. six or eight
men, aided by the Captain, work the capstan,
while one man, sitting at tue foot oil the mast hold
ing the extreme END of the rope, obeys the orders
OF the Captain. Two distinct lorces work on the
net-namely, the rapidity OF the onward movement
OF the boat and the traction operated through the
capstan. The Captain watches and controls these
forces. The tackle, sweeping the irregularities
nf thp hot fraa tp,ao fuu-