The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-02
Tho Cod Fisheries Of Iceland.

W tle shIne Wutere. AltnOuRn Ine inetnOus
and results OF French enterprise In that
quarter are in a high degree curious and
noteworthy, none of the English or Ameri-
can visitors to the Icelandio millennial
festival seem TO have vouchsafed to IL the
least attention.
The merchants of Dunkirk were the FIRST
Frenchmen TO discover the advantages OF
this fishing ground, and for long time they
enjoyed a monopoly; but as the consump-
tion OF the cured cod became general, many
secondary towns on the Channel coast
claimed share in the lucrative traffic.
AT present almost every Breton and Nor
man port contributes contingent TO the
fleet which ia despatched in the beginning
of February 10 Iceland. large number
of the vessels which devote the autumn
months to coasting trade or longshore
fishing, return TO France with the opening
OF the year to ut out for an arctic cruise
They have commonly profited by their
last voyage to take on board In some Por-
tugueso or Spanish harbor the salt needful
for the curing OF the expected catch.
They must further provide themselves
with all essentials In the way of imple-
ments and ships stores since the resources
Of Iceland are inadequate even to the wants
OF n fishing smack.
The recruitment OF a crow IL attended
with some difficulty, as tho motives of
economy which usually prompt owners to
narrow the complement OF men are not
operative In this field of commerce. Ii IL
indispensable to dispose of the largest pos
sible number OF hands. the seasons profits
depending on the number Of lines which
may be flung over the side. Accordingly
a vessel which in ordinary trade would be
manned by four or FIVE souls ali told, will
need eighteen or twenty for the Iceland
voyage. As the quota of professional sail
ors obtainable in seaport towns Is unequal
to this exceptional demand, the masters
are constrained to meet the deficit by the
expedients of the old-fashioned press
gang. Casting anchor in some lonesome
Breton creek, they intercept the peasants
after Sunday mass, aud by glowing narra-
tives, lavish promises, and handsome ad-
vances in cash, recommend the prospects
OF summers trip. In most cases the
sailors tongue, the CLEAN OF coin, aud
copious draughts of cider and cognac-a
most insidious mixture-throw the peas
ant into pleasing stupor, from which he
awakes to find himself well out at sea on
his way to the arctic circle. From that
moment he u practically enrolled among
the sea-faring conscripts OF France, and In
due course will be assigned to vessel OF
war. where years service will complete
his nautical education.
The cod does not shun the neighborhood
OF the land, but the rules OF international
law forbid foreigners to take II within n
nautical league of the coast. The vessel,
arriving at regulation distance, lowers all
her sails but one. whose action, coupled
with that of the helm, should keep the
craft stationary, and thereupon the fishing
begins. As in most cases a line is hardly
cast before II must be pulled in with sup
Elementary weight OF twenty or thirty
pounds, il is easy to conceive the fatigue
experienced after six hours OF such exer-
else, undergone, moreover, in an arctic
air, or in wind that drenches the deck with
rain or spray. Add TO the exposure and
exhaustive toll of every day the frequent
hurricanes which afilct the coast, tho rig
orous climate, floating icebergs, fogs that
hide the reefs, and currents that sweep to-
ward them, and we cannot wonder that
the compensation OF those fishermen ID ex-
ceptlonally high. Their gains average
twenty dollars month, or fourth more
than the stipend paid for ordinary voy-
ages. Consequently, after Ave months
the Breton peasant is able to dazzle his
native village with the fabulous capital of
five hundred francs which he has earned.
The work Of cleansing, sailing. and pack
Inn oil n.l
till the stock of salt is consumed. As in
good year this may occur early in the sea-
son. most outfitters despatch extra smacks
about the middle OF May to transfer from
vessels Of their house the fish already put
down, ana replenish the supplies of salt.
Except at such periods Of compulsory idle
ness, two-thirds Of the crew are constantly
on deck throughout every hour of the
twenty-four. there being of course no
night in Iceland at this season. They are
so reluctant, indeed, 10 leave their lines,
that not seldom storms and fogs which
gather with startling abruptness In that
latitude, surprise their craft on a lee shore.
In such cases the most trivial accident, "A
rent sail or n shivered spar, will su0ice to
cripple her evolutions and defeat her eff
"
wrecks are numerous in every year; but
such precedents have little terror for hardy
| crews whose profits are proportional 10
the magnitude of their catch.
In the spring OF each year two vessels Of
war proceed from Cherbourg to Iceland in
order TO enforce on the French fiotil-
Ia respect for international rules and
the prescriptions Of the local author
tiles. These cruisers also exercise a
wholesome supervision over the fish
| ing feet rs respects the treatment
| and nourishment OF the crews, compel
| ling the allotment of meat aud grog en-
| joined by law. II the smacks are short of
stores, the Government ship revictuals
them, repairs them II they are disabled.
| takes charge of their sick, and in general
| supplements from Its own means the mad
| equnto resources of the country. These
services were formerly rendered gratis,
| but such good offices being frequently
abused, the actual cost OF materials fur
! nished is now charged against the owner
Of the vessel.
l.. a a, ~ .