Improvements applicable to Trawl Nets.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application. 14th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept.,
1894
PROVIDIUNAL SEPULTIVATION.
Improvements applicable to Trawl Nets.
I, JAMES ROBERT SCOTT, of Broompark, Granton, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows, that is to say :-
"
This invention has for its object to improve trawl nets by using a peculiar form
and arrangement of "otter boards as a substitute for the ordinary "beam" and
so that a much larger net may be used and the capturing of a larger quantity of
fish rendered possible.
66
"
In carrying out my invention two boards are each connected at the extremities
of their longitudinal axes, to the top corners of an ordinary trawl net formed by
the meeting of the "head" rope, wing' line, and "ground rope of the net.
These boards are each kept in a vertical position in the water by having a weighted
keel fixed along along one edge; and each board has fixed on what is its inner side
when in position a bracket or frame so placed that it forms an angle of about
30 degrees with the board. To these angled brackets the towing "bridle" or
warp" is attached and the pull or strain passes through the brackets and through
the longitudinal axes of the boards to the corners of the net thereby causing the
boards to be pulled through the water at such an angle that they tend to keep the
mouth of the net spread out or extended, a further advantage being that the boards
are kept clear of the bed of the sea and their balance is preserved even though
the drag on the various parts of the net should vary from any cause.
66
Dated this Thirteenth day of February 1894
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements applicable to Trawl Nets.
I, JAMES ROBERT SCOTT, of Broompark, Granton, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in, and by the following statement, that is to say :-
This invention has for its object to improve trawl nets by using a peculiar form
and arrangement of "otter "boards as a substitute for the ordinary "beam" and
so that a much larger net may be used and the capturing of a larger quantity of
fish be rendered possible.
In carrying out my invention two boards are connected at the back extremities
of their longitudinal axes, one to each top corner of an ordinary trawl net at the
meeting point of the "head rope, "wing" line, and "ground" rope of the net,
in consequence of which mode of attachment the positions of the boards are not
affected by unequal strains of the several ropes. These boards are each kept
vertical in the water and are attached to the towing "bridle or warp " in a
manner hereinafter described so as to be pulled through the water at such an angle,
that they tend to keep the mouth of the net spread out or extended.
"
66
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings,

page_text: to be hereinafter referred to, and showing my improvements applied to a
trawl net.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings is a plan, and Figure, 2, a longitudinal
vertical section showing the improved apparatus.
Figure, 3, on Sheet, 2, is a plan or edge view of one board and part of the net,
Figure, 3, being an inside elevation of the same with part of the net in section.
Figures, 3, and, 4, are drawn to a larger scale than Figures, 1, and, 2.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
Two boards, A, and B, are each connected at points, L, at the extremities of
their longitudinal axes, to the top corners of an ordinary trawl net, C, that is to
each corner formed by the meeting of the head rope, D, wing line, E, and ground
rope, F, of the net. These boards, A, and, B, are each kept in a vertical position
in the water by having a keel, G, of castiron or other heavy material fixed along
the bottom edge; and each board has fixed on what is its inner side when in
position a metal bracket or frame, H, so placed that it forms an angle of about
30 degrees with the board. To these angled brackets, H, the ends of the towing
bridle or warp, J, are attached and the pull or strain passes through the brackets
and through the longitudinal axes of the boards, A, and, B, to the corners of the
net, C, and causing the boards to be pulled through the water at an angle and so
that by the action of the water on them they tend to move laterally or away from
each other and to keep the mouth of the net spread out or extended, a further
advantage being that the boards are kept clear of the bed of the sea and their
balance is preserved even though the drag on the various parts of the net should
vary from any cause. Bevil-shaped blocks, K, are fixed on the front outer edges.
of the boards, A, and, B, to prevent them from cutting or sinking into mud.
With the improved apparatus hereinbefore described the trawl net can be
launched from either the stern or the side of the fishing vessel, the towing ropes, J,
being, in the latter case rove through blocks at or near the bow and steru
respectively.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In connection with a trawl net, attaching the ground rope, wing rope, and
head line, at each corner, collectively to the middle of the back end of an otter
board, combined with the fitting of each otter board with a metal bracket for the
attachment of the towing ropes, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
2. The attaching of the ground rope, wing rope, and head line at each corner of
a trawl net to the middle of the back end of an otter board, substantially as and
for the purposes herein before described.
3. The fitting of otter boards connected to trawl nets with metal brackets for
the attachment of the towing ropes substantially as herein before described.
Dated this Thirty-first day of July 1894.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.