IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN DEEP SEA FISHING OR TRAWLING
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William de Caux, of Great Yarmouth, in the
County of Norfolk, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN DEEP SEA FISHING OR TRAWLING."
Sealed the 20th February 1880, and dated the 26th August 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William de Caux at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1879.
JOHN WILLIAM DE CAUX, of Great Yarmouth, in the County of Norfolk,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN DEEP SEA FISHING
OR TRAWLING."
t
"
The apparatus now in use for deep sea fish trawling consists of a huge beam of
wood called the "trawlbeam," supported at each end by an iron hoop about 42
inches high. These hoops are called the "trawlheads," and are flat, at the bottom
so as to keep the "trawlbeam in its horizontal position. This beam and these
heads are fixed firmly together and must be kept intact, owing to which circum-
stance " trawlbeams" more than 44 feet in length can be used only with great
difficulty, while those even of less than that length are very cumbersome. To this
beam and these heads the trawlnet is securely fastened and the three parts become
one apparatus, and cannot be readily separated one from another. The apparatus.
thus formed is sunk to the bottom of the sea, is dragged over the ground by the
vessel to which the trawlrope is attached, and it has to be hauled up bodily with
the contents of the net. This operation in bad weather is both difficult and
dangerous, and two or three hours are often expended in what is called "getting
the gear."
The objects of my Invention are,-
Firstly. To enable the apparatus to travel over the ground at the bottom of the
sea with ease and facility.
Secondly. That the beams should be made as long and be raised from the bottom
of the sea when at work as high as the fisherman desires.
Thirdly. That when the apparatus and gear are at the bottom of the sea the net
at pleasure should be instantly and completely detached from the bean, shut up

page_text: so as effectually to prevent the escape of fish and be brought to the surface
separately.
With these objects in view as well as other incidental advantages I proceed as
follows:-
My apparatus, apart from the netting and ropes, is formed of iron, or iron and
wood, or other suitable material, and in sections so that it can be readily taken to
pieces. By this arrangement I avoid the necessity of having the parts always
hanging to the side and over the taffrail of the smack, as is the case with the
apparatus now used, and which is thereby a frequent source of danger. Apparatus,
according to my Invention, can be stowed away in the hold of the vessel whenever
she is leaving or making for port, or at any other time, as during a gale of wind.
At the fishing grounds it can be easily joined together along the outside of the
vessel, and in consequence can be made as long as the fisherman chooses or his
vessel will work. Apparatus now in use is literally dragged through the ground,
and in consequence great force is required to move it. This necessitates heavily
ballasted vessels and causes great strain upon and damage not only to the fishing
gear but to the vessel and her spars, sails, and rigging. To avoid these evils I
support the apparatus according to my Invention on wheels, so that it may more
readily travel over the bottom of the sea.
The wheels upon which I support my apparatus are four in number, two at each
end. The two wheels at each end I call a pair because they are attached directly
together, although one is a large wheel and the other a small wheel. The large
wheel is placed in front of the small wheel, and the two are fixed together something
like the wheels of a "bicycle." On each side of the hob of the large wheel upright
bars are fixed, and these are met over the rim of the large wheel by bars which
are fixed to the sides of the hob of the small wheel, but are placed at the angle
necessary for them to meet the upright bars which spring from the large wheel.
By this arrangement as much height from the ground as is desired can be obtained.
The upright bars have only to be increased in length and the angle of the bars
attached to the smaller wheel slightly altered in order to intersect them at the
height desired, and beams can be fixed six feet, eight feet, or ten feet high, or
higher if desired. This arrangement as to the height of the beam from the
ground, coupled with the facility afforded for the use of increased length of beam,
1S an immense advantage by increasing the fishing power of a net according
to the increased height. and width obtained. In the case of a very long beani,
say 60 to 100 feet, it may be necessary to give the beam extra support, and in
such case I fix to the under surface of the beam at its centre and at such other
parts, as may be desirable, pendant bars, between which a wheel is fixed, which
wheel by travelling upon the ground will give the extra support that may be
required. The wheels are broad and their rims, especially at the edges, are slightly
convex. The beams I form of bars of iron or other suitable material, or iron or
other tubing, fitted with plugs at each end or at other convenient parts, so that
when the weather is rough extra weight may be given to it by admitting the water
into it, or this extra weighting may be otherwise effected. I also form the beams
in sections, so that if one part gets damaged it can be readily and cheaply repaired
by the insertion of another corresponding section. On one side of the beam hold-
fasts are fixed, and on the opposite side there is a rod which can be easily turned
more than half way round by means of a lever at each end. To this rod pins
corresponding with the number and position of the holdfasts on the opposite side of
the beam are fixed, and when the rod is turned by the levers the pins are raised
from the holdfasts. Similar arrangements are made upon bars, which project
downwards on the inside of the outer wheels. To these pins the upper part of the
net and the ends of the ground rope are temporarily fixed by means of thimbles
or grummets, and when the pins are lifted the thimbles or grummets are drawn
away by the weight of the net, which at once becomes entirely detached from the
other parts of the apparatus.
The levers are worked by a small rope which comes down with, and if desired

page_text: may be attached to the trawl rope by small rings or grummets through which it
will easily work.
The net is much larger than those now in use and is different from them in
several respects. Inside the large net and just at its entrance I fix a smaller one
so that it will act like a'funnel. The end of the funnel-net will of course be free,
and few fish when once inside the net will ever get back again through the funnel.
This arrangement. will do away with the necessity of having "pockets" in the net
and will work much better. The ground rope as at present used-I entirely discard,
and in its place I substitute long narrow links of chain, placing at intervals small
solid iron wheels. By this arrangement I keep the net nearer to the ground and
I assist the gear in going easily over it. The more ground a net covers in a given
time the more fish it is likely to catch, and it follows that if within a given time a
vessel can trawl over ten miles more ground than another vessel can, she will
generally catch more fish. The easier the gear runs over the ground the better.
In fine weather, with but little wind, a vessel with my improved apparatus will
be able to fish, whilst another trawler with the gear now in vogue would be
virtually at anchor. To the net I attach a large rope which communicates with
the vessel above. This rope runs through thimbles which are fixed round the net,
and the consequence is that after the net is detached from the beam the mere act
of hauling it in effectually closes up its mouth.
Soles and other fish of a like nature are in the habit of burying themselves in
the sand, and to stir them up so that the net may not pass over them, I when
necessary, and according to the nature of the ground trawled over, fix just before
the ground-rope a sort of rake made of wire or other material and small blunt
hooks.
In order to protect the net from large stones and other obstacles at the bottom
of the sea I shall, as experience may determine, fix a rope or ropes of wire or other
material under the trawlbeam and between it and the ground.
The apparatus may be worked from the side as well as from the deck of the
vessel, to facilitate which I employ the following means-I provide a broad bar of
iron or other suitable material shaped into the form of a parallelogram, so that it
just passes over the bulwark of the vessel. This parallelogram is, say, about one
foot in depth, and I steady it' and assist its grasp upon the bulwark by simply
passing the inside part through a holdfast which I drive into the stanchion of the
vessel. To the outside part of the parallelogram and at its extreme end I fix with
an hinge another bar about a foot in length, and to the extreme end of this I also
fix with a hinge another bar sufficiently long that when the bar attached to the
first hinge is at right angles with the side of the vessel it shall reach to the
bulwarks where I secure it. This forms an enclosed bracket in which the apparatus
can be fitted up or taken to pieces, and where it can safely rest during those
periods when trawling is not going on. The bar which is fastened onto the
bulwark of the vessel is made either straight or rounded as the fisherman may
desire.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John William de Caux in the 'Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
February 1880.
JOHN WILLIAM DE CAUX, of Great Yarmouth, in the County of Norfolk,
'Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN DEEP SEA FISHING
OR TRAWLING."
"
Apparatus now in use for deep sea fish trawling consists of a huge beam of.
wood called the " trawlbeam," trawlheads, net, groundrope, bridles, trawlrope,
derrick and hook, and all the gear necessary for "streaming" and getting it safely
inboard. Sometimes it is difficult to get a beam of the required length and
stoutness, and in that case two or more pieces of wood are scarfed together by
means of iron rings.or bands. A broken trawlbeam is also pieced together in the
same way. This trawlbeam is supported at each end by an iron hoop, generally
about 42 inches high. These iron hoops are called the "trawlheads, "and are flat
and straight at the bottom so as to keep the trawlbeam in its horizontal position.
This beam and these heads are fixed firmly together and must be kept intact,
owing to which circumstance trawlbeams more than 44 feet in length can be used
only with great difficulty, while those even of less than that length are very
.cumbersome. To this bean and these heads the trawlnet is securely fastened, and
the three parts become one apparatus and cannot be readily separated one from
another. Some trawlnets are provided with what are designated "pockets, "and
some with what is called "a flapper." "Pockets are formed on each side of the
net below the groundrope by fastening part of the side of the net to a similar
portion of the bottom part of the net, thus forming a cul de sac, the entrance to
which is well within the net; these "pockets "interfere greatly with the symmetrical
flow of the net. The "flapper" is a piece of net which is fastened to the upper
part of the inside of the net, and is allowed to fall down to the bottom part
of the net, and the notion is that it does not stop the ingress of fish, but that it
does stop their egress. The upper part of the net which is attached to the trawlbeam
is longer than the lower part which is permitted to drag along the ground. To
keep this lower part to the ground, as well as to prevent mishaps as far as possible,
it is fixed to what is called the "groundrope." This groundrope is sufficiently long
to form a half circle, or other desired curve, and is made of chain bound round with
old netting or other material and rope. The apparatus thus formed is sunk to the
bottom of the sea by a "trawlrope," and two shorter ropes which are called
"bridles." One end of one of these "bridles" is fixed to one of the trawlheads,
and one end of the other "bridle" to the other trawlhead, and the opposite ends
of these "bridles " are brought together and firmly attached to one end of the
"trawlrope," the other end being securely fastened to the vessel. Sometimes a
third "bridle" called a dandy-bridle is used. This is fixed at one end of the
beam and is used to haul inboard that end of the beam when it is brought near
to the surface of the water. By these " bridles" and "trawlrope" the apparatus is
sunk to the bottom of the sea, is dragged over the ground by the vessel to which
the trawlrope is attached, and is hauled up bodily with the contents of the net.
Two or three hours are often expended, and sometimes seven or eight hours, in
what is called "getting the gear." When the trawlbeam has been got as near to
the top of the water as possible it has to be sided, that is, it has to be got to and
upon the vessel's side-rail. This operation is performed aft by means of a "derrick,"
fall," "block," and "hook," and forward by means of a "fall," a "runner," a "fish-
hook" and the necessary forehead tackle, and in bad weather is a most difficult and
dangerous operation. When the beam has been "sided" the net is "swept," that
is, a rope is passed round it and drawn tight just above the "cod-end," and it is
then hauled on board. The trawlrope and bridles are got on board by means of
16
"

page_text: Figure 1 shows a front view; Figure 2, a back view; Figure 3, a plan view,
and Figure 4 an end view of portions of a trawlbeam! and parts .connected there-
with according to my Invention; Figures 3x, 4*, 5, 5×, 6, 6x, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 15, show parts and details separately.
In each of the Figures the same letters indicate corresponding parts.
The main or trawlbeam of the apparatus and its parts separate from the net and
ropes is formed of iron, or iron and wood or other suitable material, and in
sections, so that it can be readily taken to pieces. By this arrangement I avoid
the necessity of having parts of the apparatus always hanging to the side and over
the taffrail of the smack as is the case with the apparatus now used, and which is
thereby a frequent source of danger. Apparatus according to my Invention can
be stowed away in the hold of the vessel whenever she is leaving or making for
port, or at any other time, as during a gale of wind. At the fishing grounds it
can be easily joined together, and in consequence can be made as long as .the
fisherman chooses or his vessel will work. Apparatus now in use is literally
dragged through the ground, and in consequence great force is required to move
it. This necessitates the use of heavily-ballasted vessels, and causes great strain
upon and damage, not only to the fishing gear, but to the vessel employed and her
spars as well as the rigging. To avoid these evils I support the trawlbeam of the
apparatus according to my Invention on wheels, so that it may more readily.
travel over the bottom of the sea.
:
a, a, represents portions of the trawlbeam, and b, b, the frames or carriages with
wheels b', b', upon which I support the trawlbeam and parts carried thereby. The
wheels b' are four in number, two at each end. The two wheels b' at each, end::I
call a pair because they are attached directly together. If desired, however, other
additional number of these carriage wheels may be employed. The two pairs of
wheels b', 6', attached to the respective frames or carriages bare preferably alike,
but their size may vary. The wheels b¹, b¹, of each. pair may be similar or dis-
similar in height and breadth and in the materials of which they may be made.
The tires of these wheels I prefer to be broad, and their surface transversely may
be straight or slightly convex. These wheels may be made with spokes and the
spaces between the spokes may be enclosed, or they may be made solid but slightly.
concave so as to prevent as much as possible the clinging of extraneous matters to
them. Each pair of wheels I place directly in line, one wheel behind the other,
but this may be varied. According to the arrangement indicated one wheel of
$

page_text: each carriage b is larger than the other with the larger wheel in front of the
smaller wheel, but this may be varied. The wheels 61, 61, turn each on a spindle
or bolt forming axes b² carried by the bars forming the frames or carriages b, b.
The upper part of each frame or carriage b is formed into a cradle 63 in which the
respective ends of the trawlbeam a are placed. The trawlbeam a is easily and
firmly fixed in its position in these cradles by means of caps c, through which and
through the beam a and the bottom part of each cradle 6 passes a bolt c' which in
its turn is secured by a key c² split at the end driven through the bolt c¹. The
upright bars of the frame b may be placed at any suitable angle towards cach
other for the desired effect, and they may be lengthened or shortened, as the case
may be, and their angles towards each other altered in order to place the cradles 6³
at any height desired. These cradles 63, 63, I find it convenient to form somewhat
larger or wider at their top than at the bottom parts for facility of fixture and
removal. By this arrangement trawlbeams, which are now with difficulty supported
four feet from the ground, may with ease be supported 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, or
higher if desired, which is an immense advantage as thereby tile fishing power of
a-net is greatly increased.
The speed of working can be regulated by taking in or putting more canvas
upon the vessel, or by locking or putting a shoe upon one or more of the
wheels b', b¹.
The trawlbeam a is built up of several parts or sections, and may be taken to
pieces by separating these parts or sections from each other and their frames or
carriages b, as the fisherman may desire. Trawlbeams made of iron tubing may be
fitted with plugs at each end or at other convenient parts, so that when necessary
extra weight may be given to them by admitting the water within them, while in
the case of wooden trawlbeams this extra weighting may be otherwise effected.
Wooden trawlbeams I prefer. to be in section of the I form, the upper and lower
parts a, a, overlapping the central portion a**, which should be grooved into as
well as bolted to the top and bottom.parts, as more clearly represented by sections
at Figures 5* and 6×, but other forms which give the required strength may be
employed. These trawlbeams I generally form deepest and widest in the centre of
their length gradually tapering off to the ends thereof, which ends where they lie
in the cradle may be faced with iron and formed so as to fit the cradles; I also
form the trawlbeam "cambered" or arched sufficiently to overcome its tendency to
såg or bend downwards. Trawlbeams thus formed have great lateral as well as
horizontal strength. Very long trawlbeams may be supported at a position or at
positions intermediate of their ends if necessary, by a wheel or wheels placed
between two pendent bars fixed to the trawlbeam. The buoyancy of these trawl-
beams may be increased when necessary by making their upper and lower parts wider,
and that without materially increasing their weight when not immersed. A trawl-
beam formed in parts or sections may be fitted together in the following manner (see
also the separate sectional plan view of parts, Figure 3*). At the end of one of two
adjoining sections two metal plates a¹, a', are fixed, one on one side, and the other
on the other side of cach central or main part or section of the trawlbeam; and
these plates are strongly bolted together, and to the sections by screw bolts and
nuts a², a² These plates a¹, a¹, project beyond the section, and between these
projecting parts of these plates a¹, a', the end of the corresponding section a is
placed, and the two adjoining sections are then easily and firmly fastened together
by means of keys a³, as, (the ends of which are split), and by cottars a, shewn
separately at Figure 8. By these means, the adjoining ends of such sections can be
drawn tightly together and the use of screws is avoided.
Solid beams round or otherwise shaped may be divided into sections and easily
and securely fastened together in the following or a similar manner-The ends of
the corresponding sections should be cut for some distance in an irregular and
eccentric manner, but so. that they will exactly fit or mortice together, and bolts
should then be passed through or screwbands round them, as represented by
Figure 16. The advantages resulting from such an arrangement of trawlbeam over

page_text: those at present in use are many, as for instance, it can be made shaply, strong,
buoyant, and of considerable length, and when damaged the parts or sections may
be readily replaced. The fishing power of such a beam also increases with its
increased length. The nets when in use are connected to pins d'carried by the
parts of the trawlbeam, and I disconnect the net from the trawlbeam by means
of levers e to which the pins d are connected by those levers being operated to
withdraw the pins'd.
"
The general principle upon which I work is the saine in all cases, but the details
are slightly different according to the size and shape of the trawlbeams for the time
in use, and the materials of which they are made. On one side of the trawlbeam
and on the inner and lower bars of the hindmost wheels holdfasts d'are fixed. In
these holdfasts the ends of the pins d'loosely though firmly work. The pins & are
jointed or linked to levers e, so that when the ends of the pins are only partially
withdrawn they readily fly open. In the case of small, round, solid, or hollow
trawlbeams a, such as indicated by front view, back view, and sectional view,
Figure 7, these pins d are moved by a rod or axis d with arms d³ to which they
are attached, which rod d is fixed on the opposite side of the beam to that of the
pins d, and is easily turned more than half round by means of suitable levers fixed.
at the ends or other convenient parts thereof. In the case of large and differently
shaped beams, such as herein before described, the pins are.attached to the levers e
which work on axes e¹ through the beam and between its overlapping parts a*, a*;
instead of over it, and are actuated for the withdrawal of the pins d and con-
sequent release of the net by means of a short "bridle" or line f and connecting
rods e. Discs with openings in them, as shewn by g, Figure 6, may be employed
instead of the levers le to allow the escape of the ends of the pins d when those
openings are brought opposite the ends of the pins d, or other suitable
method may be adopted to produce the desired result. The arrangement of the
holdfasts and leverse attached to the lower bars of the hindmost wheels is the
same in all cases, but for these holdfasts ¹ and levers c there may be substituted
rings d', or blocks with sheaves in them if necessary. The ends of the "groundrope"
may be passed through rings d', Figure 4, or blocks, and then fixed with a ring or a
link of chain to the pins d at the extreme ends or other suitable parts of the
trawlbeam. In place of the rings d there may be pins d operated by levers e and
cords therefrom, such parts being applied to the lower rails connecting the
wheels b1, b¹, of the carriages b, b, as shewn by Figure 4*. To these pins d the
upper part of the net and the ends of the "groundrope" are fixed when the net is
in use by means of rings, "thimbles," or "grummets,' which are fastened to or upon
the net and "groundrope," and when the pins & are lifted or drawn, the rings,
thimbles," or grummets," are pulled away by the weight of the net and
groundrope," which at once become entirely detached from the trawlbeam. The
pulling open of the pins d by the weight and twisting about of the net is prevented
by guards or forks h (also shewn separately Figure 5) open in front in which the
ends of the pins & lic, such guards being placed between the holdfasts d¹ and the
levers e, whilst any undue pressure of the sea upon the disconnecting line which
'might cause it to lift or draw the pins & is provided against as far as possible by
springs or holding levers i, Figure 9, placed at the ends or other convenient parts of
the beam a, and which may be applied or released from the levers e at pleasure.
The levers e, e, are worked from the vessel by means of a small rope which, if
desired, may be attached loosely or otherwise to the trawlrope. This small rope j
I call the lever-line or "disconnecting line." It is attached to a small block ji
round the sheave of which runs slackly a small rope or chain f, the ends of which
are fastened to connecting rods e connected to the inner ends of the levers e, e, and
simultaneously work all these levers e upon the trawlbeam. This lever line j is
worked from the deck by means of a small skeleton drum which may be temporarily
fixed for the purpose between the shrouds or between bars inserted into the rail or
stanchions of the vessel, or at any other part that may be most convenient, or by
"
"

page_text: other suitable meaus. When the net is disconnected from the trawlbeam a I shut
it up and hoist it on deck in the following manner :-Attached to the rings 7,
Figure 10, for connecting the net with the pins d are other and larger rings 1,
which in their turn are strongly fastened at regular intervals to the netrope 13 of
the net. The parts of the net where these rings are fixed should be twifolded.
Through these larger rings a strong rope ľºª properly wormed and served is passed
and strongly fastened to those parts of the net which come just opposite the ends
of the trawlbeam a. This rope is somewhat longer than the trawlbeam and
forms in the middle a "bight" in which works a block and sheave m. To this
block m is attached a stout rope m² which connects with the vessel. The meré
hauling in of the rope m² shuts up the net. When it is intended to haul in the net
this rope m¹ is carried through a block at the masthead, or other suitably elevated
position, and thence through other blocks to the capstan, and by this means the net
is readily hoisted on board without the use of "fall," "runner," or "fishhook" now
required. Under certain circumstances some difficulty might be experienced
in determining when the net is detached from the trawlbeam, or the net may
be detached by causes over which the fisherman has no control and without
his knowledge. To give the fisherman notice therefore when the net is detached
from the beam I make use of what I term a tell-tale buoy n, Figure 11.
This is simply a small buoy made of any suitable shape and buoyant material,
to the smaller or other suitable end or part of which is attached by means
of a swivel a large ring n². Before the apparatus is lowered into the water
the disconnecting line; is passed through this ring n', and by means of a
short line or chain n³ and a smaller ring n³ the buoy n is attached loosely
to or against one of the disconnecting pins d. When the net is detached
the buoy n becomes also released, and travels along the lever line to the
surface of the sea in a corresponding way to when a messenger is sent up a kite
line. I paint the words "all right," or other suitable indication, upon this buoy,
and I also fix upon it a bell in case of need. The advantages of this arrangement
are considerable. The net I form is larger than those now in use with trawl-beams.
of corresponding length, and it is different from them in several respects, as, for
instance, inside the large net represented by the outline diagram o, Figure 12, and
just below the groundrope o¹, I fix a smaller net p; this inner net p, where it is
fixed to the outer net o is somewhat larger than the outer net in order not to
interfere with the flow, of the outer net o, but it at once narrows rapidly until
its aperture p' is no larger than about that of the "cod"-end, and by this means
it forms a short funuel inside the larger net o. This aperture p¹ may vary in
size, and the net may vary in length. The end of the funnel net p is of course
free, merely being loosely held in its place by three or four ties, if desired, and
few fish, when once inside and between the two nets, will ever get back again
through the funnel.
The upper parts of both the outer and inner nets are buoyed
with small corks so that the funnel may be always open. By this arrangement I
do away with the necessity of having "pockets" or a "flapper" in the net. The
present "groundrope" I discard, and in its place I substitute a rope o¹ or chain
covered with rope or "wolding" to prevent the net from being chafed, placing at
intervals small broad wheels or rollers of wood, iron, or other suitable material;
these wheels or rollers (as shewn at q, Figure 13) I make of various shapes, but
principally egg-shaped and pear-shaped, so that the "groundrope" may work true.
They may, if desired, be hollow to secure lightness, and may work either upon a bar
or swivels. The net may be attached to the groundrope by rings, which will enable
the whole groundrope to turn round. By this arrangement I keep the net nearer
to the ground, and at the same time assist it in going easily over the ground. I do
not tie up the cod-end of my net, but stretch it out, and so fasten it to the ends of
a wide roller r, Figure 14, or upon an axletree fixed between two wheels. By this
means I keep open the meshes of the cod-end. I also facilitate the escape of fry
from the net by an arrangement of iron bands within the cod end, which, when

page_text: the water rushes through the net, spreads open like an umbrella. I empty the net
of its contents by opening the cod-end at one side of it, for which purpose
I use &
piece of rope, one end of which is fixed to the net, while at the other end is attached
a stout and strong needle.
Soles and other fish of a like nature are in the habit of burying themselves in the
sand and shingle, and to stir them up so that the net may not pass over them, I,
when necessary, and according to the nature of the ground trawled over, fix just
before the groundrope another groundrope made of small chain and rollers, and when
necessary I attach to this chain small rakes, which will effectually stir up whatever
fish may be hiding beneath the soil. In fine weather, with but little wind, a vessel
with apparatus of the character described will be able to fish whilst another "trawler"
with the gear now in vogue will be virtually at anchor. In order to protect the .
net from large stones and other obtacles at the bottom of the sea sometimes fix a
rope or chain under the trawlbeam and between it and the ground'; this I call my
net-protector.
I "stream" the net away, drag the trawlbeam over the bottom of the sea and
haul up, "side" and "get" the beam inboard, either with or without the net, by
the following means and in the following manner :-Instead of a pair of bridles I
use a pair of bridle-spans 8 and a pair of bridles, s'. Each bridle span is fixed at
one end of the beam a, one end of the span being fixed to the inside of the spindles
of one of the pairs of wheels b', and the other end of the span to the trawlbeam a
itself, about one-third from its end. Each span is provided with a block u, over the
sheave of which the span passes, and to these blocks I attach bridles 8', which in
their turn are securely fastened to the trawlrope t. The trawlrope itself passes over
rollers which are fixed between the stanchions to the capstan; these rollers are
made straight or concave, and are placed horizontally or perpendicularly, or as the
case may be, wherever the rope is likely to pass with a great strain. In order to
support the rollers which are fixed horizontally (in the event of any very heavy
strain being brought to bear upon them) I securely fix beneath the centre of each
of them a block of wood or other material. This block has its face which is nearest
the roller hollowed out, so that the roller may fairly and readily turn round in it.
Upon the taffrail and rails I also place sheaves u, Figures 15 and 15*, in open frame-
work u', so that ropes can be readily inserted and worked. I also fix near to each
end of the beam a kind of dandy-bridle. By these means I "side" and "get" the
gear "inboard" without difficulty and without danger, and reduce to a minimum
the likelihood of breaking the beam or losing the gear.
Small apparatus of the character described may be worked from the side as
from the deck of the vessel, to facilitate which I employ the following means:-
I provide a broad bar of iron or other suitable material shaped into the form of a
parallelogram so that it just passes over the bulwark of the vessel. This parallelo-
gram is, say, about one foot in depth, and I steady it and assist its grasp upon the
bulwark by simply passing the inside part through a holdfast which I drive into
the stanchion of the vessel. To the outside part of the parallelogram and at its
extreme end I fix with a hinge another bar, about a foot in length, and to the
extreme end of this I also fix with a hinge another bar, sufficiently long that when
the bar attached to the first hinge is at right angles with the side of the vessel it
shall reach to the bulwarks, where I secure it. This forms an enclosed bracket, in
which the apparatus can be fitted up or taken to pieces and where it can safely rest
during those periods when trawling is not going on.
The bar which is fastened on to the bulwark of the vessel is made either straight
or rounded, as the fisherman may desire.
The disconnecting gear when fitted to solid beams having no overlapping parts
is applied in the following or a similar manner (see Figure 17):-To the ends of
the groundrope o¹ chains or ropes or chains and ropes o¹ are attached, and these
chains or ropes o' are passed through rings o2 hanging from the beam a to the
central pins d, and they are there loosely fixed. The net is hung upon these chains
or ropes o' by means of rings or loops o³. Or the beam a may be hung at intervals

page_text: with short pieces of chain or ropes (as represented by Figure 18) having rings at
their ends or with loops of chain or rope 8. The ends of the groundrope are
fastened to the ends of the beam by means of rings o³, through which the first
loops 8 are passed. The second loop s¹ upon the beam is passed through the first
loop s; which is thus drawn tight, and the third loop 8 through the second loop s¹,
and so on until the central pins are reached, to which the last loops & are fixed
with rings 8. The net is hung upon these loops by its rings o³.
Or along the beam a may be fixed securely short pieces of iron t (as represented
by Figure 19) having slits or slots t¹ nearly their whole length, but open towards
the ends of the beam a. In these slits or slots t¹ bolts t2 or other suitably shaped
pieces of iron slide easily backwards and forwards, and these are fastened by short
pieces of chain to the rings o³ (Figures 17 or 18), or other similar suitable means, to
the net, as for instance, the rings o³ may be hung to the rope of, as they are in
Figure 17. The centre part of the net is attached to the central pins in the manner
already described.
In the case of solid beams where but little protection can be given to the discon-
necting gear, the central pins may be fixed into slots formed in iron bands, which
are made to revolve by means of the disconnecting line. When the band is turned
so that the slot comes opposite to the pin the pin flies out and the net is released.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details shown and described, as the same may be varied without departing
from the peculiar character of my improvements, but what, I do claim is,
Firstly. The general arrangement, adaptation, or combination of parts forming
apparatus for use in deep sea fishing or trawling, substantially as described.
Secondly. I claim the arranging or combining parts whereby the trawlbeam is
supported on wheeled frames or carriages in an elevated position, and whereby the
trawlbeam is formed in sections which are capable of ready connection or discon-
nection, substantially as described.
Thirdly. I claim the arranging or combining parts whereby the net may be
readily disconnected from the trawlbeam and the net shut up or closed in deep sea,
and the position of the net indicated, substantially as described.
Fourthly. The arranging or combining parts of deep sea fishing nets with internal
conical or funnel shaped chambers, also with roller groundrope, a "cod-end" roller,
and what I call an umbrella extender, a raking groundrope, a net protector, and
parts connected therewith, substantially as described.
"
Fifthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts forming guide rollers and
sheaves, bridle-spans," and "inboard" ropes or "dandy bridles" for use in manner
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I; the said John William de Caux, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentyfirst day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
JOHN WM. DE CAUX. (L.S.)