On the Teign, below Bishopsteignton. Seiners regaling ([1829])

Thomas Hewitt Williams
  • image IMAGEFORDA5392
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Devon West Country Studies M SC0220
Illustration Reference
SC0220
Location
CD 4 DVD 1
Publication Details
Date
[1829]
Place
Scope and Content
Butcher Rev. Edmund. The beauties of Sidmouth displayed. Sidmouth: John Wallis, 1820. Third Edition. pp. 11-13.Vast quantities of mackerel and whitings are occasionally caught, […] They are taken in large nets called a seine. The origin of this name it does not appear possible to ascertain. The seine and the boat, are worth an hundred pounds and upwards. The common seine is five hundred yards long; in the mackarel [sic] season they extend them to seven hundred, and even eight hundred yards. The boat having carried out the net to a certain distance, greater or less as circumstances may require, the seine is shot from the boat, which, as it moves on, forms a circle, being supported by a vast number of corks affixed, at equal distances, to the outside ropes of the net. From each end of the seine, when the semi-circle is completed, are cords extending to the beach, and which are held by persons stationed to haul or pull in the seine, when completely cast into the sea: these individuals form two rows, which gradually close as the net approaches the shore. […] It is a curious and entertaining sight to witness the beauty of this fish when first brought out of the water. The diversity and brightness of their colours, which vary every moment, cannot escape the most cursory observer. This is doubtless occasioned by the different atmosphere in which they are then placed; and humanity hopes that most of these are muscular motions, and speedily attended with little pain to the expiring animal.The produce of each haul is divided in the following manner: the owner of the seine and boat is entitled to one half of the fish caught; and also to an equal share of the remainder with the rest of the crew, between whom the other half is divided share and share alike. When women […] take a part of the adventure, the supposed superiority of strength in the male quite superseded that politeness which, in some other departments of society, pays a compliment to female assistance; for the lady gets only half as much as the gentleman.Whether fish are taken or not, the labour is not over when the seine is pulled in. It is necessary that the net should be carefully overhauled, that is, spread regularly out upon the shingles for drying; as, when it is first taken out of the sea, it is left in large hillocks, in which situation it would rot and not dry. This overhauling, after an unsuccessful shoot, is a very flat business - nearly an hour of toil is added, after the several labourers have found that there is not a fish a-piece to repay them for their time and exertions.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]
Format
Etching
Dimensions
99x152mm
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Subjects
Dates
1829