The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-06
sba-k.Flshlng in Iceland.

UTbe TcclanSars, says the NnHond
AfaGa.;nc, "takc iin active partam, the
whale fishery, but devote themselves
as rule, to that Gt SHARK E, Iiia o coa,
They fish principally frGHm ngM1 open PEI
boats, with projecting Prov anu ,,. G" ary,
ing only one small lug:sail. ", 'w.p ,,,,o,
are preferred ON account Of the nj. ui ~,
of hands required The ICelandic H. !"
crmen arc described Ms possessing n
power Of endurance, MI ability to keep
the sea IN all *catlers, and d courage
above all praisej they storn to take
provisions Of any kind to sea, though
they never neglect to carry their snuff.
horns. 1t is greatly to be dcplorcd That
these hardy mariners are 80 careless
both as to their personal comforts and
rs to the seawofthiness OF their craft,
since to these faults may doubtless DO
traced the fact that forty per cent. OF
the deaths OF the men are caused by
drowning. When n vessel is in search
of sharks, it is anchored Mt place
where they Arc presumed to be--.in pro-
ference, near the rising edge Of q bank.
The anchor used is generallya four:
pronged iron graphic, weighing about
$50 pounds, with fifteen to twenty faith.
oms nine.sixteen inch iron chain cable,
and $50 .fathom long hRwser. When
anchored, the fishing commences. II
nothing is caught, tho position is shift
ed until the shark is found and II the
take is good, the vessel remains at the
post, and tides out tho storm il ncces-
sary. Tho lines used arc Of the thick
ness of deep.sea headlines, fastened TO
three fNtloms Of chain, in the middle OF
which n lcadon weight Of ten pounds to
thirteen pounds is fixed. Under this
strong six.inch hook is fastened; the
entire hook is covered with bRit, md it
is notched inside tho bend to prevent
the Inter slipping down, When the
shark is hauled up to tho surface 1t Is
killed by means OF long spear. A har-
pooh is thon fixed in it, and the rope
fastened to the ships side after which
the carcase is ripped mp by knife af-
fixed to pole, and the liver is taken
out and placed in barrels, and slowed
away in the hold. Tho value OF chr.
case is about rs. Cd. The flesh is sold
10 the peasants, who bury it in the
ground for two or three weeks, and then
lisinter it, wnsh it, and cut it Zip into
strips, md hang 1t in the drying.lousc.
After ono years drying, II ii considered
fit for food. Tho flesh has then nssum.
cd clear, reddish.yellow color, which
gives it something OF tho appearance Of
salmon, so far rs the eye is concerned,
but certainly not the nose, for its pres.
Cncc IN room is very perceptiblc.
How perceptible it must DO in case OF
ten.yedr old shark flesh, which We are
further informed is accounted delicacy
among native connoisseurS, we must
leave to the imagination and olfactory
nerves Of our readers TO conjecture.
The gall of tho shark is used instead OF
soap, The skin is also turned TO good
account; after being stretched on the
ground mud dried, IL is used as shoe
leather, though it is not susceptible Of
polish. A shark Of moderate sizo yields,
two.thirds of n barrel OF oil, (rcckoning
a barrel Mt about 40 QUARTS which Is
extracted by boiling tho liver. A first
boiling gives the light train.oil n sec.
ond, tho darker or common oil. Three
barrels Of liver give about two barrels
Of oil, and, in calm weather, ono small
open boat, II fortunate, may secure about
fifteen barrels Of liver in couple of
days. In Sweden and Germany, where
the trnin-oil is much used in tanneries,
it fetchcS from 6j shillings TO 1876 shil.
lings per barrel.