Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1913-02-26

WWQ HE rugged spurs Oh the bdsses |
Pyrenees shelve down through |
fertile cultivated slopes to fiat
stretches of tawny sand, where
France and Spain look at each
other across the winding estuary OF
the Bidassoa river. The romantic SIT
uation of the Spanish town OF Fuenter-
rabia, rising above its girdle or pat
tered walls to the massive castle Oh
Charles V. and the graceful bei1ry Oh
the ancient church soaring still high-
er, is likely to leave one unimpresseo
by two torpedo-craft Of obsolete types
flying the French and Spanish nags
upon the river below. These two cra1t,
however, represent the authorities for
the maintenance of order between the
fishermen of the two countries. Inc
waters of each are considered TO ex-
tend to a three-mile limit from their
respective coasts. AS it happens that
the sardine shoals frequent this cor
ner OF the Bay of Biscay, where the
waters of the two countries adjoin, the
necessity for international regulation
is evident. Moreover, as the fish show
an especial preference for the prox-
unity Of the French coast, 1t follows
that the Spanish fishing boats are the
most frequent trespassers.
Well PatroIled.
This portion of the coast is kept pa
trolled by French coastguard vessel,
the Out Vive, stationed at st. Jean-de-
Luz. and the last capture, furnishing
the subject of the illustration, was
made on January 81. Upon an arrest
being made within the boundary linn
its. the delinquent vessel is detained
and an inquiry held by the command
ing officers of the French and Spanish
torpedo boats In the Bidassoa river,
and their arbitration Is almost invari-
ably accepted. If the offense is proved.
the trespassing boat is held in confis-
cation for limited period, and fine
imposed upon the owners.
Although the Bidassoa river forms
the boundary between France and
Spain. yet Fuenterrabia is a Spanish
port. and only shelters Spanish fish
ing fleet. The nearest French port 1t
st. Jean-de-Luz, only some four or five
miles distant. In both of these, as
we'll as at San Sebastian, the old type
of fishing boat, propelled by oars and
sails, has In the course Of the last ten
wears been almost entirely superseded
by steamboats,. These are substantial
| nofr cd
local boatbuilders, and equipped with
engines and boilers of French manu-
facture. A feet Of 15 of these steam
launches works from st. Jean-de-Luz.
The Fuenterrabia feet numbers IL,
and Is increasing. II is usually ad-
mitted that their introduction has
been of material advantage to the In
dustry
The craft need to be good seaboats,
for the mild climate that prevails dur.
ing the winter is no guarantee against
bursts of rough weather at sea. Only
a week or two ago the boats were
caught at sea by gale, and San Sc
bastian boat foundered through spring
ing a leak. Her crew, however. were
rescued by Fuenterrabia boat Dur
ing the balmy months that correspond
with our winter these boats are oc
cupied In sardine-ishing. Their crews
consist almost exclusively Of Basques
who. whether they come from the
, French or the Spanish side of the Ply
renees. have always their language II
common. AS a matter of fact, no per
manent luminosity exists between the
: two sides, Notwithstanding the occa
l sional conflicts that occur upon thu
/, fishing grounds.
. The method of fishing pursued II
Q quite peculiar to these waters, and
. day at sea with the boats inclines on,
: to make some excuses for poaching
9 The main object of the fishermen
Q when they put to sea, is to look 70
i pcrpoises. So valuable is their ali
0 considered that the Spanish authort
8 ties impose fine for killing one. Blu
a school of porpoises does not nee
I essarily imply sardines. The pol
= poises are quite as anxiously lookin
0 for sardlnes as the fishermen, an
: once they are sighted they are 70
r lowed through the most deviou
d courses.
: Stones and Porpolses.
n In the keen ardour Of the chase tn
= question of landmarks, or the precis
e distance of the coast, may become
5 very unimportant detail. When tn
e porpoises commence leaping out {
d the water the appearance OF Shot
r of sardines may be expected. Pursue
and surrounded by the porpoisea, the