Improvements in or relating to Net Spreaders for Trawl Fishing.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 8th Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Net Spreaders for Trawl Fishing.
I, ALEXANDER KAY, 17, Restalrig Terrace, Leith, Trawl Owner, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention which relates to improvements in net spreaders or otter boards
to be used by steam and sailing fishing vessels has for its object to provide more
efficient means for sea fishing or trawling.
In accordance with my invention I provide the boards, or otters which may he
constructed in the usual manner, with a light interchangeable bracket conveniently
arranged, or the bracket may be dispensed with and the net head line attached to
the back upper end of the otter boards in the usual manner but loosened sufficiently
to enable the mouth of the net to be further opened than has been found practicable
hitherto and by the addition of one or more small wooden, cork or other floats or
otters set to shear upwards attached to the net square and head line or lines
together with a dummy head line or board centre bridle the usual net head line
strain is done away with thus enabling it to be slackened as far as found most
suitable and so raised as to greatly extend the mouth of the net which, besides
giving an extra fishing area and consequently more fish, will counteract the otter
boards from falling over and ensure their extending erect and in position at the
bottom of the sea even should the vessel at any time be brought to a standstill, and
with the increased flow of water through the net, make the gear more lively and
less liable to be damaged.
.
But in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation and
Fig. 2 an end view of a net spreader or otter board provided with an interchange-
able bracket constructed in accordance with my said invention.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation and
Fig. 4 a plan shewing a portion of the net with the boards in position.
Referring to the said drawings A is a bracket preferably made of aluminium of
any suitable length provided with holes a corresponding with similar holes a in
the board B so that the bracket can be raised or lowered. To the point C of this
bracket, which is stayed from the centre of the upper edge of the board by a rope c
or otherwise, is attached the head line of the net if it is desired to open the mouth
thereof wider than the ordinary boards would permit of. This bracket can be
secured to the end of the board and be folded down or entirely removed when
desired.
In order to prevent strain upon the head line D as before mentioned, I secure at
the point d (Figs. 3 and 4) a dummy head line or centre bridle E which keeps the
boards at the correct distance apart and in order to prevent the head line or lines I)
(two being preferred, the second one rove further in on the net square for additional
strength) from sagging and raised up as well as the boards from falling over and

page_text: keep them erect I attach two or more wood or other floats or otters F set to shear
upwards and distend the mouth of the net.
Also in accordance with my improvements I may coat or paint the floats and
boards with a luminous paint or have discs so painted, for attaching to them, as to
attract the fish in the direction of the mouth of the net.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In net spreaders or otter boards for trawl fishing, the arrangement whereby a
larger mouth or opening can be given to the net than hitherto, consisting of the
removable, interchangeable and adjustable bracket A, constructed and arranged in
the manner as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2. In net spreaders or otter boards for trawl fishing, the dummy head line or
centre bridle E, with or without one or more floats or shear boards F.
upon the net
square and head line or lines D whereby the boards are held apart at the requisite
distance to prevent straining of the head line and allow the mouth of the net to
be distended, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accom-
panying drawings.
3. Coating or painting floats or net spreaders or otter boards with a luminous
paint, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Datad this 2nd day of December 1807
JOHNSONS,
Applicant's Agents, 115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.