ABOARD THE FISHERMAN

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3623, 7 April 1927, Page 3

ABOARD THE FISHERMAN

INSPECTION OF ZANE GREY’S SCHOONER.

While in Auckland last week our representative was afforded the opportunity of spending an hour or two aboard Mr. Zane Grey’s schooner, the “Fisherman.” The vessel was moored at the time at the Western wharf where the fuel tanks were being replenished prior to leaving New Zealand waters for the South Seas. The schooner is a fine, staunch-looking three masted vessel, painted white and flying from the mast-head the Stars and Stripes and British Ensign. The crew is typically American.

A point that impressed our representative about the deck of the vessel was that every inch of space available was utilised for storage purposes. Five launches are lashed down in the well of the vessel. One of these is used for ship’s purposes but the other four, twin screw vessels with powerful engines, and ecjuipped specially for deep sea fishing are used exclusively for that purpose. Mr. Zane Grey and party occupy the accommodation in the stem of the vessel when aboard the Fisherman and these apartments are very comfortable. Immediately below these berths is the engine room, the Fisherman being equipped with two semi-deisel crude oil engines of 120 h.p. and so is not entirely dependent on its sails. The engine room also contains an electric light plant, together with storage batteries, water compressor for supplying water to the both rooms and lavatories and automatic bilge pump,- etc. Running the whole length of the vessel, beneath the flooring, are huge tanks in which is stored the crude oil for the engines and which can accommodate 7,000 gallons of fuel.

Amidships on deck is the galley equipped with kerosene stoves, a well-filled freezing chamber and cool storage roonq, saloon, and officers quarters. Below are storage rooms, bath rooms, cinematographer’s developing room, and wireless room, etc. A large quantity of case motor spirit is also stored below for use in the, launches. The tackle room was filled with gear and contained some 150 odd rods and lines. The wireless room proved very interesting and contains most up-to-date sending and receiving sets. The crew’s quarters, of course, are located in the fo’castle.

The impression gained by an inspection of Fisherman is that the vessel is run on very businesslike lines and that it is for service rather than pleasure. In conversation with Captain Mitchell, our representative was informed that the Fisherman would sail that evening for Tauranga where the party would leave the vessel and spend six weeks trout fishing at Tokaanu. After about ten days at Tauranga the Fisherman would sail for Papeete. The party journey from Wellington to Papeete by the Tahiti and rejoin the Fisherman there and spend some time fishing in the South Seas. They expected to be in the Gulf of Mexico during the “fall,” where Captain Mitchell anticipated there would be good sword-fishing. The party also intended to explore the Black Sea, and visit Bartura. “Practically nothing is known of fishing in the Black Sea,” said Captain Mitchell. “During a previous visit to Bartum, where we lost several of our men owing to the activities of guerilla bands, I saw a swordfish brought in that had been caught on a hand line. Coarse fish nets are also used a little, but nothing is known of the possibilities of fishing in the Black Sea.” Continuing, Captain Mitchell said that it was not safe to go twenty miles out of Bartum, owing to encountering unfriendly bands of natives. When trout fishing oul; of Bartrum one day, he and a friend were subjected to rifle tire from a native, perched high up on some rocks, and had to make a hasty retreat. On another occasion, when out fishing, they found the trout to be very scarce although the streams along this coast usually abound with fish. On wandering higher up stream they came across a number of native women throwing trout out of the stream in large quantities. On further investigating, it was discovered that a band of men were busily engaged in cutting down a species of laurel tree and throwing the branches into the stream, which turned the water a milky colour, and apparently dazed the fish.

Captain Mitchell said he would like <to further investigate this method of catching trout on his return trip. After the Black Sea had been fished, the party intended to fish for perch in the Nile, and subset] uently do some big game hunting in Africa. They expected to return to New Zealand in 1928, and would again do deep sea fishing at the Bay of Islouds in December of that year, and January and February of 1929.