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THE Coasts of Great Brittaine doe yeeld such a con∣tinuall Sea-harvest of gaine, and benefit to all those that with dili∣gence doe labour in the same, that no time or season in the yeare passeth in the yeare passeth away without some apparent meanes of profitable imploy∣ment, especially to such as apply themselves
to fishing, which from the beginning of the yeare unto the latter end, continueth upon some part, or other upon our Coasts, and therein such infinite shoales and multitudes of fishes are offered to the takers as may justly move admiration, not only to strangers but to those that daily bee imployed amongst them.
The Summer fish∣ing for herring begin∣eth about Midsommer and lasteth some part of August.
The winter fishing
for herring lasteth from September to the midst of November, both which extend in place from Boughones in Scot∣land to the Thames mouth.
The fishing for Cod at Alamby Wirlington, and White haven neare the coast of Lancashire from Easter untill Whitsontide
The fishing for Hake at Aberdeny, Abveswhich and other places be∣tweene Wales, and Ire∣land from Whitson∣tide to Saint Iames tide.
The fishing of Cod,
and Ling about Pad∣stow within the land, and of Severne from Christmas to Midlent.
The fishing for Cod on the West part of Ireland frequented by those of Biscay, Gali∣cia, and Portugall from the beginning of Aprill untill the end of Iune.
The fishing for Cod, and Linge on the North, and Northeast of Ireland, from Christ∣mas untill Michealmas.
The fishing for Pil∣chers on the west coast of England from St. Iames tide untill Mi∣chaelmas.
The fishing for Cod, and Ling upon the Northeast of Eng∣land from Easter untill Midsommer.
The fishing of great Staple Ling and many other sorts of fish lying about the Ilands of Scotland, and in the severall parts of the Brittish Seas all the yeare long.
In September, not many yeares since up∣on the Coast of De∣vonshire neare Mini∣gall 500 Tonne of fish were taken in one day. And about the same time three thousand
pound worth of fish in one day were taken at St Ives in Cornew all by small boates, and o∣ther poore provisions.
Our five-men-boats, and cobles adventu∣ring in a calme to launch out amongst the Holland Busses not far from Robin-hoods Bay returned to Whit∣by full fraught with herrings, and reported that they saw some of those Busses take 10. 20. 24. lasts at a draught of herrings and returned into their owne Country with 40. 50. and 100.
lasts of herrings in one Busse.
Our Fleete of colli∣ers not many yeares since returning from Newcastle laden with coales about the well, neare Flanbo∣rough head, and Scar∣borough, met with such multitudes of Cod, Ling, and herring, that one amongst the rest with certaine ship∣hookes, and other like Instruments drew up as much cod, and Ling in a little space of time, as were sold well neare for as much as her whole lading of
coale. And many hun∣dred of ships might have bin there laden in two daies and two nights.
Out of which won∣derfull affluence, and abundance of fish swar∣ming in our seas, that wee may the better pereceive the infinite gaine which forraine Nations make, I will especially insist upon the fishing of the Hol∣landers in our Coasts, and thereby shew how by this meanes prin∣cipally they have in∣creased.
BEsides 700. Strand boates, 400. Evars, and 400. Sullits, Dri∣vers and Todboates, wherewith the Hollan∣ders fish upon their owne coasts, every one of those imploying a∣nother ship to fetch salt, and carry their fish into other coun∣tries, being in all 3000.
saile, maintaining and setting on worke at least 4000. persons, Fishers, Tradesmen, Women, and Chil∣dren. They have 100. Doyer boates of 150. Tunnes a peece, or there abouts. 700. Pincks and Well-boats from 60. to 100. Tuns a peece, which alto∣gether fish upon the coasts of England and Scotland for Cod, and Ling onely. And each of these employ ano∣ther vessell for provi∣ding of salt, and trans∣porting of their Fish, making in all 1600.
ships, which maintain and imploy persons of all sorts, 4000. at least.
For the Herring season they have 1600. Bus∣ses at the least, all of them fishing onely up∣on our coasts, from Boughonnesse in Scotland to the mouth of Thames. And every one of these maketh work for three other shippes that attend her; the one to bring in salt from forraigne parts, another to carry the sayd salt, and cask to the busses, and to bring back their her∣rings,
and the third to transport the sayd fish into forraigne coun∣tries. So that the totall number of ships and busses plying the her∣ring Faire is 6400. whereby every busse, one with another, im∣ployeth 40. men, Mar∣riners and Fishers within her own hold, and the rest tenne men a peece, which amounteth to 112000. Fishers and Marriners. All which maintaine double, if not treble so many Tradesmen, women and children a land.
Moreover they have 400. other vessels at least, that take Herring at Yarmouth, and there sell them for ready mony: so that the Hollanders (besides 300. ships before men∣tioned fishing upon their own shoares) have at least 4800. shippes onely maintained by the seas of Great Brit∣taine, by which means principally, Holland being not so bigge as one of our shires of England, containing not above 28. miles in length, and three in breadth, have encrea∣sed
the number of their shipping to at least 10000. saile, being more then are in England, France, Spaine, Portugall, Italy, Den∣marke, Poland, Sweden, and Russia. And to this number they adde eve∣ry day; although their country it selfe affords them neither materialls, or victuall, nor merchandize to bee accounted of to∣wards their setting forth.
Besides these of Hol∣land, Lubeck hath 700. great ships, Hamborough 600. Embden 1400.
whereunto adde the ships of Bremer, Biscay, Portugall, Spaine, and France, which for the most part fish in our seas, and it will appear that 10000. saile of forraigne vessels, and above are imployed and maintained by fi∣shing upon our coasts. So that in Holland there are built 1000. saile at the least, to supply shipwracks, and aug∣ment their store, which as the Prince, and com∣mon Nursery, is the chiefest meanes onely to increase their num∣ber.
THE number of ships fishing on our coasts as being a∣foresayd, 8400. If wee allow but 20. persons to every ship one with a∣nother, the totall of Marriners and Fishers amounteth to 168000. out of which number they daily furnish their longer voyages to all parts of the world; for by this meanes they are not onely enabled to brooke the seas, and to
know the use of the tackles, and compasse, but are like wise in∣structed in the princi∣ples of Navigation, and Pylotage, inso∣much as from hence their greatest Navi∣gators have had their education, and bree∣ding.
BY reason of those multitude of Ships and Marriners they have extended their trade to all parts of the world, exporting for the most part in all
their voyages our her∣ring, and other fish for the maintenance of the same. In exchange whereof they returne the severall commo∣dities of other Coun∣tries.
From the Southern parts, as France, Spaine, and Portugall for our herrings they returne Oyles, Wines, Pruynes, Honey, Woolles &c. with store of coine in Specie.
From the Straights, Velvets, Sattins, and all sorts of Silks, Al∣lomes, Currans, Oyles, and all Grocerie ware,
with much money.
From the East Coun∣tries for our herrings, and other French, and Italian commodities before returned, they bring home corne, Wax, Flax, hempe, Pitch, Tarre, Sope-ash∣es, Iron, copper, Steele, clapboard, Wainscot, Timber, Deale board, Dollers, and Hungarie Gilders.
From Germanie for herrings, and other salt fish, Iron, Steele, Glasse, Milstones, Rhenish wines, But∣ton-plate for Armour, with other Munition,
Silkes, Velvets, Rashes, Fustians, Baratees, and such like Frank'ford commodities, with store of Rix dollers.
From Brabant they returne for the most part ready money with some Tapestries, and Hullshop. Yea some of our herring are carried as far as Braseile.
And that which is more strange & great∣ly to our shame, they have foure hun∣dred ships with fish, which our men of Yarmouth within ken almost of land, doe
vent our herrings a∣mongst us here in Eng∣land, and make us pay for the fish taken up∣on on our owne coast rea∣dy money, wherewith they store their owne country.
BY this their large extent of trade they are become as it were citizens of the whole world, where∣by they have so enlar∣ged their Townes,
that most of them within these foure hundred yeares are full as great againe as they were before; Am∣sterdam, Leyden, and Midleburgh having bin lately twice enlarged, and their streetes, and buildings so faire, and orderly set forth that for beauty, & strength they may compare with any other in the world, upon which they bestow infinite summes of money, (all originally flowing from the bountie of the sea, from whence by their labour and in∣dustry
they derive the beginning of all that wealth and great∣nesse,) and particular∣ly for the havens of the aforesaid townes, whereof some of them cost 40. 50. or 100000 l. Their fortifications also both for number, and strength, upon which they have be∣stowed infinite sums of money, may com∣pare with any other whatsoever.
SUch being then the number of the ships, and Marriners, and so great their trade, occa∣sioned principally by their fishing; they have not onely strengthned, and fortified them∣selves at home to re∣pell all forraigne Inva∣sions, as lately in the warre betweene them, and Spaine, but have likewise stretched their power into the East, and West Indies
in many places where∣of they are Lords of the sea coasts, and have likewise fortified up∣on the maine, where the Kings, and people are at their devotion. And more then this all neighbour Princes in their differences by reason of this their power at Sea, are glad to have them of their partie. So that next to the English they are now become the most redoubted Nation at Sea of any other what∣soever.
MOreover how mighty the pub∣lique revenew, and customes of that state are increased by their fishing, may appeare in that above thirtie yeares since, over and above the customes of other Merchandise, ex∣cises, Licences, Waf∣tage, and Lastage, there was payed to the State for custome of her∣ring and other salt fish above 300000
pound in one yeare, besides the tenth fish, and Caske, payed for waftage, which com∣eth at the least to as much more among the Hollanders onely, whereunto the tenth of other Nations be∣ing added it amoun∣teth to a far greater summe.
Wee are likewise to know that great part of their fish is sold in other Countries for ready money for which they commonly export of the finest gold, and silver, and coming home recoyne it of a
baser allay under their owne stampe, which is not a small meanes to augment their pub∣lique treasure.
AS touching their private wealth if wee consider the a∣bundant store of her∣rings, and other fish by them taken, and the usuall prices that they are sold for, as also the multitude of trades∣men and Artizans, that by reason of this
their fishing are daily set on worke, wee must needs conclude that the gaine thereof made by private men must of necessity be ex∣ceeding great, as by observing the particu∣lars following will plainly appeare.
During the wars betweene the King of Spaine, and the Hol∣landers before the last truce, Dunkirke by ta∣king, spoiling, and burning the Busses of Holland, and setting great ransome upon their fishermen, en∣forced them to com∣pound
for great summs that they might fish quietly for one yeare, whereupon the next yeare after the fisher∣men agreed amongst themselves to pay a dollar upon every last of herrings, towards the maintenance of certaine ships of warre to waft and secure them in their fishing, by reason whereof there was a record kept of the severall lasts of herrings taken that yeare, and it ap∣peared thereby that in one halfe yeare there were taken 30000
lasts of herrings which at twelve pound per last amounteth to 3600000. and at 16. 20. 30 pound the last they are ordi∣narily sold; then tran∣sported into other Countries it cometh at least to 5000000 l. Wherunto if wee adde the herrings taken by other Nations, toge∣ther with the codd, Ling, Hake and the fish taken by the Hol∣landers and other our neighbours upon the Brittish Coasts all the year long the total will evidently arise to be a∣bove
10000000 l.
The great trade of fishing imploying so many men, and Ships, at Sea must likewise necessarily maintaine as great a number of tradesmen, and Arti∣zans on land, as Spin∣ners, and Hempwin∣ders for cables, Cor∣dage, Yarne-twine for netts, and lines, Wea∣vers to make saile cloathes, cecive Pack∣ers, Tollers, Dressers, and Cowchers to sort, and make the herring lawfull merchandize, Tanners to tanne their Sailes, and netts, Coo∣pers
to make caske, Block, and Bowle-ma∣kers for shippes, keele∣men, and Labourers for carrying, and re∣moving their fish, Saw∣yers for plankes, car∣penters, Shipwrights, Smithes, car-men, Boatemen, Brewers, bakers, and a num∣ber of others, whereof many are maimed per∣sons and unfit to be o∣therwise imployed. besides the mainte∣nance of all their seve∣rall wives, and chil∣dren and families. And further every man and maidservant, or Or∣phant
having any poore stock, may ven∣ture the same in their fishing voyages which affords them ordinari∣ly great increase, and is duly payed accor∣ding to the proportion of their gaine.
ANd to conclude it is manifest that Holland only af∣fording in it selfe some few hops, Mad∣ders, butter and cheese, aboundeth notwith∣standing
(by reason of this Art of fishing) in plentifull manner with all kind of pro∣visions as well for life, as in corne, Beefe, Muttons, Hides, and Cloathes, as for luxu∣rie, in wines, silkes, and spices, and for defence, as in pitch, tarr, Cor∣dage, timber. All which they have not only in competent proportion for their use, but are likewise able from their seve∣rall Magazines to sup∣ply their neighbour countries.
The premises con∣sidered,
it maketh much to the igno∣minie, and shame of our English Nation, that God and Nature offering us so great a treasure even at our owne doores wee doe notwithstanding neg∣lect the benefit ther∣of, and, by paying money to strangers for the fish of our owne Seas, impoverish our selves to make them rich. Insomuch that for want of in∣dustry, and care in this particular 225. fisher townes are de∣cayed and reduced
to extreame poverty whereas on the con∣trary by diligent en∣deavouring to make use of so great a bless∣ing we might in short time repaire these de∣caied townes of the Kingdome, and adde both honour, strength, and riches to our King, and Country, which how easily it may be done will ap∣peare by some few observations follow∣ing.
By erecting two hun∣dred and fifty Busses of reasonable strength, and bignesse, there will
be imployment made for 1000 Ships, and for at least 10000 fish∣er men, and Marriners at Sea, and conse∣quently for as many tradesmen, and labou∣rers at land.
The herrings taken by the Busses will afford his Majesty 200000 l. yearely custome out∣ward, and for com∣modities returned in∣ward 30000 l. and above.
Wee have timber sufficient, and at rea∣sonable rates growing in our owne Kingdome for the building of
Busses, every Shire af∣fordeth hardy and able men fit for such im∣ployment who now live poorely, and idle at home.
Wee have victualls in great plenty sold at easie rates without payment of excises, or Impost.
Our shores, and har∣bours are neare the places where the fish doe haunt.
For drinke, or nets, salting, and packing our fish, and for suc∣cour in stresse of wea∣ther, wee may bring our fish to land, salt
and pack it, and from some parts of his Ma∣jesties Dominions bee at our markets in France, Spaine, or Ita∣ly before the Hollan∣ders can arrive in Hol∣land.
Wee have meanes to transport our fish into some Northerne Countries where the Hollanders seldome or never come. And though wee had as many Busses as the Hollanders, yet is there vent for all, or more, for in the East and Northerne Countries, and in many other pla∣ces,
herrings are every daies meat, winter and summer as well to draw on drinke, as to satisfie hunger, and in most places the grea∣test part of the yeare they be scarce to be had, for presently af∣ter Michaelmas the Sound and rivers are frozen up so as no her∣rings can be trans∣ported into twenty se∣verall Kingdomes, and free States, untill Iuly which is for thirtie weekes space together, so that when Lent comes there are few to be bought for mo∣ney.
Lastly, since by care and industry wee gai∣ned from the Flem∣mings, doubtlesse so by the meanes wee may as easily grow expert in the Art of Fishing, and in time make it a staple com∣modity of our owne.
But this wee shall the better and soo∣ner doe, if wee consi∣der, and endeavour to reforme certain wants and abuses which hi∣therto have hindred us from effecting that good, and great work, whereof these that fol∣low
are none of the least.
1. Generall liberty of eating flesh con∣trary to old custome, and the Statute Lawes provided for obser∣ving Fish dayes, from whence our scarcitie and dearth of fish pro∣ceedeth; for where flesh is ordinarily spent fish will not be bought, and want of sale de∣cayeth all trade, gaine being the nurse of In∣dustry.
2. Want of order and discretion in our fish∣ing,
every man being left to himselfe, and permitted to fish as best liketh him: where∣as amongst the Hollan∣ders two of the best experienced Fisher∣men are appointed to guide the rest of the fleete, all others being bound to follow them, and to cast their lines according to their di∣rection.
3. The Hollanders and other Nations set forth with their Busses in Iune to finde the shoale of fish, & having found it, dwell amongst it
till November, whereas we stay till the Herring come home to our roade steads, and some∣times suffer them to passe by ere wee looke out, our Herring fish∣ing containing onely seven weekes at the most, and theirs twen∣tie.
4. The Hollanders Busses are great and strong, and able to brooke foule weather, whereas our Cobles, Crayers and Boates be∣ing small, and thinne sided, are easily swal∣lowed by a rough
Sea, not daring to ad∣venture far in faire weather by reason of their weaknesse for feare of stormes.
5. The Hollanders are industrious, and no sooner are discharged of toding, but present∣ly put forth for more, and seeke for Markets abroad as well as at home; wheras our En∣glish after they had bin once at Sea, doe com∣monly never returne againe untill all the money taken for their fish be spent, and they in debt, seeking only to
serve the next Mar∣ket.
6. The Hollanders have certaine Merchants who during the her∣ring season doe onely come to the places where the Busses ar∣rive, and joyning to∣gether in severall com∣panies, doe presently agree for the lading of 30. or 40. Busses at once, and so being dis∣charged they may spee∣dily returne to their former shipping; wher∣as our fishermen are uncertaine of their chapmen, and forced
to spend much time in putting off their fish by parcells.
These and other de∣fects would carefully be taken into conside∣ration, and certaine or∣ders made to make our fishing prosperous, and and successefull, espe∣cially considering the carefull mischiefes the neglect hereof hath brought to the King, and Kingdome in ge∣nerall, and to many good townes, and Corporations in par∣ticular, as by authority even of Parliament it selfe in the Statute of
33. Hen. the eight, is plainly testified, which I have summarily here set downe to avoid the prolixitie of the o∣riginall.
Because the English fisher-men dwelling on the Sea coasts did leave off their trade of fishing in our Seas and went the halfe Seas o∣ver, and there upon the Seas did buy fish of Pickards, Flemmings, Normans, and Zelan∣ders, by reason where∣of many incommodi∣ties did grow to the Realme, viz. the
decay of the wealth and prosperitie as well of the Cinque Ports, and Members of the same, as of other coast townes by the Sea side, which were buil∣ded, and inhabited by great multitudes of people, by rea∣son of using and exercising the craft and feate of fishing. Se∣condly the decay of a great number of boats, and Ships. And third∣ly the decay of many good Marriners both able in bodie by their diligence, labour, and
continuall exercise of fishing, and expert by reason thereof in the knowledge of the Sea∣coasts, as well within this Realme as in other parts beyond the Seas. It was therefore en∣acted that no manner of persons English, De∣nizens, or strangers at that time, or any time after dwelling in Eng∣land, should buy any fish of any strangers in the said Ports of Flan∣ders, Zeland, Picardy, France, or upon the Sea betweene shore and shore &c.
This act by many continuances was con∣tinued from Parlia∣ment to Parliament untill the first of Queene Marie, and from thence to the end of the next Parlia∣ment and then expi∣red.
For conclusion seeing by that which hath formerly bin declared it evidently appeareth that the Kings of En∣gland by immemora∣ble prescription, con∣tinuall usage, and pos∣session, the acknow∣ledgment
of all our neighbour States, and the municipall lawes of the Kingdome, have ever held the Soveraigne Lordship of the Seas of England, and that unto his Ma∣jestie, by reason of his Soveraigntie the su∣preame command and Jurisdiction over the passage, and fishing in the same rightfully ap∣pertaineth, considering also the naturall scite of those our Seas that interpose themselves betweene the great Northerne commerce
of that of the whole world, and that of the East, West, and Sou∣therne Clymates, and withall the infinite commodities that by fishing in the same is daily made. It cannot be doubted but his Majesty by means of his owne excellent wisdome, and vertue, and by the Industry of his faithfull Sub∣jects and people, may easily without Inju∣stice to any Prince or person whatsoever be made the greatest Mo∣narch for Command
and Wealth, and his people the most opu∣lent and flourishing Nation of any other in the world. And this the rather, for that his Majesty is now absolute Commander of the Brittish Isle, and hath also enlar∣ged his Dominions over a great part of the Westerne Indies; by meanes of which extent of Empire, (crossing in a man∣ner the whole Ocean) the trade, and per∣sons of all Nations (moving from one
part of the World to the other) must of necessitie, first, or last, come with∣in compasse of his power, and jurisdicti∣on.
And therefore the Soveraignty of our Seas being the most precious Jewell of his Majesties Crowne, and (next under God) the principall meanes of our Wealth and Safetie, all true En∣glish hearts and hands are bound by all pos∣sible meanes and di∣iligence
to preserve and maintaine the same, even with the uttermost hazzard of their lives, their goods, and for∣tunes.
1. Mar. ca. 14.