Evening journal., 1913-04-18
AMArEuR YACHrsMEN ANp Ntrs.

This is editorial, prompted by letter Of COM
plant received from Port Penn fishermen, that
should be read and needed by all those who operate
motor boats on the Delaware river and bay While
the complaint is directed primarily against certain
members OF the Wilmington police force, think it
also should be made to apply to all other amateur
shippers who navigate those waters. The complaint
is as follows:
To the Editor Of THE EVENING JOURNAL;
Sir:-It seems as though officers of the police force
in your city take great delight in going out in motor
boats and coming down the river and running over
nets Of fishermen when It could be avoided easily.
They, in former years have done the thing and
continue to do IT, letter has been sent TO the Chief
of Police about the matter, and would be much
indebted to you If you would print few items and
help out your paper circuates here more than
any other Wilmington newspaper and also In your own
city. The last damage done could have been avoided.
The police officer in question ruined almost ten pounds
Of net for Frank Johnson, Jr. IL is big loss and
that fact will be appreciated by man who under
stands fishing. There also is another item to which
desire TO call your attention II is about the Break
water Company. In building the stone ietty at Reedy
Island IL has lost two barge-oads Of stone.
They a to navigation well as to fish
ing Barge No 10 was capszed the night OF April
Is. This ietty work In time may improve the Della
ware river but it is killing off our town Port Penn
is a fishing place Otherwise, IL has employment
for the people. Kindly do us this favor.
II is not our purpose to discuss the effect of the
building of the Reedy Island ictty. That is an engi-
neerng project which in time will prove its value or
lack of value Nor shall discuss the loss Of the
bargelOads OF stone although we think that II they
constitute a to navigation the stone piles re-
sultng therefrom should be removed, That is a ques
ton that should be referred to the Federal engineers
II is with the destruction of the hshermen's nets by
the navgators of small craft that prefer to deal,
because such destruction is not only unnecessary but
also reprehensibe We do not think that any
ber OF the Wilmington police force would do such
work wantony. In the main our policemen good
fellows OF the live-and-let-live type Being working
themselves, they naturally in sympathy with
worSingmen and their efforts to bread and but
ter. II is difficult to conceive that any of them would
strike blow at the earning power Of Delaware
river fisherman by the ruthless destruction Of his
net
Probably now that the matter has been called
to the attention not only of the old salts and the
young salts in the Police Department but also to that
Of other yaehtsmen. greater and consideration
will be exercised in navigating the fishing grounds,
not only Port Penn, but also in other sections
OF the Delaware river and bay The skippers Of large
power craft a rule have wholesome respect for shad
and sturgeon nets. They know that if the nets be-
entangled in and wrap about a propeller it
means immediate trouble and subsequent expensive
employment of a diver trip to drydock Navi-
gators of small craft have such expensive trouble
in view when they slash through net that has cost
some hardy fisherman a large amount of money, but
common regard for the decences of life should
strain them to steer clear thereby earn the good
will and esteem Of men who not only work hard but
work early and late to reap living from the water.