between
the monsoons; but the period is too short and too precarious for any
proper inspection, and only fitted for the examination of a known bed
of oysters, and the taking of a sample to test their condition, and
determine when they should be fished. In 1857 I was kept by strong S.
W. winds at anchor off Sillawatorre for 12 days, and during some 25
days of absence on this duty, there were only five workable, whilst in
1858 there were 18 days of such fine weather as to allow of the
examination of the coast from Arippo to Tallamannar; but in 1861 there
was only time to take up a sample from the Cheval Paar, a gale of wind
nearly wrecking the " Pearl," indeed, but for steam power allowing her
to get oft the land and out to sea, such would have been the case. It
is in the work of inspections that a steamer is so necessary an'd
useful, affording as this power does quickness and precision of
movement in placing vessel and boats in the exact positions needed—a
matter often unattainable by sailing craft—and now that in lieu of the
heavy unmanageable native boats, the fishery establishment has boats of
English build, easily pulled and towed, the work is capable of being
done with greater celerity and correctness. With a steamer the
Superintendent has the means of satisfying himself of the
extent and condition of all parts of a bed of oysters, by running all
over the ground buoyed off, upon which the Inspector and inspection
boats may be at work, and sending down the English and Native divers.
With the former he can, in light weather, by letting the vessel only
drift, have the ground thoroughly examined. In March 1862 I had the
diver dowri for above an hour at a stretch, and walking over from one
to two miles of ground, thus checking entirely the reports and
proceedings of the inspection party.
The
proceedings of inspections are thus conducted:—The Inspector with 6
boats, each having two divers and buoys in charge of a coxswain, leave
the vessel at daylight, when the sea is always calm in the N. E.
monsoon, spreading themselves to the four points of the compass, and
diving continually in any depth of water not exceeding 8 to 9 fathoms.
If rock is found one Hag is hoisted. This attracts attention, as
oysters are more generally found on such ground. If oysters are found,
two flags are hoisted, and a buoy is at once laid down; the other boats
then work their way to this point, noting if the ground be rocky,
taking down such flags when getting only on sand and placing buoys if
oysters are found. The limits N. S. E. and W. are then ascertained, the
Superintendent in the steamer re-examining and going all round and
beyond the buoys. The age, condition, and quantity of the oysters being
satisfactorily ascertained, the Inspector then lays down the exact
position of the bed by the bearings of the land-marks, the most
prominent on the Arippo Coast being Kodremalle Hill, Kallar Beacon,
Modragam trees, and the Doric; the two former being the most generally
seen and to be relied on. Taking also the bearings of each buoy, he
ascertains the extent of the bed, and lays it down on the Chart;
according to the number of oysters a diver is able to bring up at a
time (and the coxswain keep these particulars for the portion of the
bed they work upon) the calculation is made of how many five divers
with relief, constantly at work for 6 hours a day, could bring up, and
the probable quantity of oysters on the bed and its out-turn is thus
assumed. Of course, this estimate is always very much below the actual
out-turn at a fishery, but the aid which the English diving system,
employed since 1859, affords in inspections by the ability of remaining
longer under water exploring the bed] of the ocean, and giving more
precise and explanatory account of the extent, quantity, and conditions
»f beds, not only tends to allow of more correct estimates on these
points, but is a great and needed check upon the native divers, whose
information could not always be depended upon, because, from the short
time they remain under water (at most a minute a spell] their
observation was very cursory, and it was believed they had reasons for
not telling all they did ascertain,
