Topographical, statistical, and historical gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 1

XXV111
INTRODUCTION.
FISHERIES.
The fisheries of Scotland have long formed a valuable and important branch of indus-
try. — The total annual value of the salmon-fisheries has been estimated at £150,000.
The Ayr, Beauly, Clyde, Conon, Dee, Deveron, Don, Earn, Eden, North and South
Esks, Findhorn, Langwell, Moy, Ness, Shin, Spey, Tay, Teith, Tweed, and Ythan
rivers, are all celebrated for their salmon-fishings. — The total quantity of herrings cured
in Scotland within the year ending 5th April, 1840, was 543,945 barrels ; the total
quantity found entitled to the official brand, under the act 1st Will. IV, c. 54, was 152,231
barrels ; and the total quantity exported was 252,522 barrels ; being a decrease of
11,614$ barrels in the quantity cured, of 1,428* in the quantity branded, but an increase
of 12,7911 in the quantity exported, as compared with the preceding year. Of cod and
ling, 93,5601 cwts. were cured dried, and 6,053 barrels cured in pickle ; the quantity
found entitled to the official stamp and brand, under the provisions of the said act, was
21,695i cwts. dried, and 3,205 barrels pickled, and the total quantity exported was
29,656i cwts. dried, and 24 barrels pickled ; being an increase over the preceding year
of 8,281 cwts. in the quantity cured dried, but a decrease of 3,9981 barrels pickled, a
decrease in the quantity punched and branded of 2,2401 cwts. and 1,888 barrels, but an
increase of 2,954i cwts. in the quantity exported. In catching and curing these fish,
11,893 boats, manned by 52,037 fishermen and boys, were employed in the shore-curing
department of the fishery ; the number of curers, coopers,, gutters, and labourers
employed, was 36,681 ; and the total number of persons employed was 88,718 ; being
an increaso over the preceding year of 536 boats, 1,799 fishermen, and of 3,143 in the
total number of persons employed.
The following is an account of the total number of barrels of white herrings which
have been cured on board vessels cleared out for the fishery, or cured on shore, in the
year ended 5th April, 1840 ; and also of the number of boats and hands which have
been employed in the shore-curing, herring, cod, and ling fisheries.
Barrels of
Stations. herrings
curid.
Campbeltown and Islay,... 1,511
Dumfries and Stranraer,.. 1,665
Glasgow 8,640
Greenock and Ayr, Irvine
and Saltcoats 17,418
Inverary and Lochgilphead 3,225
Loch-Broom, 1,461
Loch-Carron and Dunve-
gan, 101
Loch-Shildag, 392
Rothsay 17,119
Stornoway and Bana, 1,178
Tobermory and Fort- Wil-
liam, 1,841
Isle of Man, 21,152
Liverpool,
St. Ives,
Anstruther, 39,542
"Whitehaven, 3,008
Banff, 14,057
Burntisland, 13,021
Cromarty 8,342
Eyemouth 31,521
Findhorn 8,713
Fraserburgh, 36,806
Number
of
boats.
505
84
383
454
434
830
179
263
574
549
541
55
404
203
48
86
176
315
163
191
145
Number
of tislif r-
iii en and
boys.
1,599
430
1,110
1,362
1,742
3,320
721
786
3,336
1,590
3,860
271
1,611
963
220
371
489
1,307
741
622
707
Helmsdale,
Leith,
Lybster,
Orkney, North Isles,
Orkney, South Isles,
Peterhead
Port-Gordon,
Shetland, Lerwick,
Shetland, IJnst,
Shetland, Walls,
Stonehaven,
Thurso,
Tongue
Wick
London, including Dover,
Portsmouth, Gravesend,
and Yarmouth, from
which resident officers
have now been with-
drawn,
North Sunderland,
Whitby,
Barrels of
berrings
cured
46,571
4,684
39,077
6,381
13,015
53,677
729
16,000
5,319
4,366
4,787
6,992
3,169
91,465
16,225
774
Number
of
boats.
236
338
264
239
497
146
301
740
139
306
172
102
156
366
893
177
239
Number
of fisher-
men and
boys.
1,180
936
1,156
993
2,219
589
1,505
3,528
651
1,766
888
485
780
1,773
5,095
473
862
Total 543,945 11,893 52,037
SHIPPING.
The shipping of Scotland, at a comparatively recent period, was inconsiderable ; and
even so late as 1656, comprised only 137 vessels, of from 250 to 300 tons each ; and
aggregately, 5,736 tons. In 1760, the vessels employed in the foreign and coasting trade,
and in fisheries, were 999 in number, and 53,913 in tonnage. In 1800, the number
was 2,415, carrying 171,728 tons, and employing 14,820 seamen. In 1828, the number