The Irish fleet of
fishing-boats fell off from 27,142 in 1823 to 7181 in 1878; and
in 1882 they were still further reduced to 6089.[14] Yet Ireland
has a coast-line of fishing ground of nearly three thousand miles
in extent.
The bights and bays on the west coast of Ireland--off Erris,
Mayo, Connemara, and Donegal--swarm with fish. Near Achill Bay,
2000 mackerel were lately taken at a single haul; and Clew Bay is
often alive with fish. In Scull Bay and Crookhaven, near Cape
Clear, they are so plentiful that the peasants often knock them
on the head with oars, but will not take the trouble to net them.
These swarms of fish might be a source of permanent wealth. A
gentleman of Cork one day borrowed a common rod and line from a
Cornish miner in his employment, and caught fifty-seven mackerel
from the jetty in Scull Bay before breakfast. Each of these
mackerel was worth twopence in Cork market, thirty miles off.
Yet the people round about, many of whom were short of food, were
doing nothing to catch them, but expecting Providence to supply
their wants. Providence, however, always likes to be helped.
Some people forget that the Giver of all good gifts requires us
to seek for them by industry, prudence, and perseverance.[15]
Some cry for more loans; some cry for more harbours. It would be
well to help with suitable harbours, but the system of dependence
upon Government loans is pernicious.
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