The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-30

these Att were boats of the frst-class, or
above 30 feet Of keel, exclusive of 107 vessels
employed in fishing with the beam trawl.
For the same year the number of fishermen
and boys by which the boats were manned
was 6S.6ls. There were l.47 tish-curers.
ployed in the work, such as packers, "gut-
ters." carters and laborers, numbered
Il, 8O3; giving a total Of persons employed
in the fishing industry of 81. 8s1 souls:
East coast summer herring fishing begins
about the first Of July and continues until
the season opens month earlier. Fisher
men, labOrers. curers-crews and what-not
come to all the east coast ports and to Shet-
land from every portion of the north and
west of Scotland, including the outer
Hebrides. They are simply the croft
ers have spoken Of in previous
money with which to pay the rent of their
crofts, and without which they could not
exist throughout the year. At Wick Is years
ago the fishermen helpers received each a
wage of from e6 to So for season of about
six months, with board and lodging. A few
years since it was Sc to SO, with one shill-
ing for each Gran Of herring landed, which
with other perquisites increased their earn
ings to ELS or E2O. At present in Shetland,
the principal seat of the herring industry.
the system generally prevailing Is to allow
one-half of the proceeds Of the fishing to
the owner or owaers Of tho boat, who pro-
equally divided between members of the
Grew, the owner receiving share as such
if he be one Of the crew. On the east coast
it is also becoming general to give hired
fishers one shilling on each pound sterling
value of herring landed. At some ports
boats earnings, providing their own sub
sistence on shore. but getting their ''oil
skins" for sea use as q perquisite.
The preparations of the 6sh-curer are of
interest and Importance. All winter long
coopers have been employed in making the
necessary supply of barrels. They receive
from ten-penco to one shilling for each bar
rel made, and during the herring season are
paid regular wages ranging from 25 to 80
shillings per week. The herring barrel
must hold 26ss imperial gallons; the half
barrel. 1875; but no official c0gnizance is
taken of quarters or less. Having secured
sufficient ground for curing purposes, which
suppose he intends using the nah landel by
ten boats. He provides q triangular box
with sides about two feet high, into which
the herring are emptied from tho fisher
mems baskets. or from his own carts. and
| around which the .'crevs" of 'scurers''
| wicker basket, was used in the delivery of
fish. This has been superseded by the
circular "luarter-cran" basket, four of
| which make the '.cran" of S715 imperial
gallons, the standard measure upon which
all estimates ON Scottish herring, and ex-
pense in securing the Same, are based.
For handling the fish of ton boats, tho curel
will employ three COOPER, and one crew
of "gutters or thirty CUTTERS" in all
The latter are invariably women. crofters
wives, daughters, sisters. Five tons or N(
bushels Of salt to the 100 Grams. will bt
needed; and he provides barrels and salt OF
the basis of an average years fishing giving
him from $500 to 1000 Grams Of fish from
the ten boats.
On the arrival of the eject" the fsh are
sold by auction- plan very recently intro
| duced. and identical with that of our owT
| herring fishers at Passport. Maine. Sam
| Piles of herring are retained by the auction
eer in case of disputes. The salesman
| charges the fishermen small percentage
| ~ at New Haven. on the Firth Of Forth; he
| becomes responsible to the fishermen fol
the money; and payments arc made daily o.
coast herring fishing. port. fully LOO
i Perhaps 600 of these are women. An stated
three form Grew" Two use tho knifl
and one packs" They work with marvel
Gus rapidity. The herring il held in tn,
left hand. Inserting the knife in the throat
of the tish. sidewise, with the right hand
with one swift movement in - pull-likt
| cut" "a one of the women described It 4
me. the herring is opened and cleaned. and
vhisked into . basket. Il y 90 quickly
done that the eye cannot follow the pro
cess. The hearings arc next sostsd. shiftet
to recsivine boxes, and TIN elnptied int
"rousing- boxes' where thay aIo t6orooahl,
| "pouaedO ar miYAd with aolH In r,anEimG